In a recent article on F1 Oversteer, Christian Danner claimed that team principal Frédéric Vasseur should look to Mercedes for guidance. He argued that the Ferrari boss is doing things completely wrong because there is “no clear directive” from the top.
Where has Danner been all season? The lack of rigid team directives covering everything from engineers and engine mapping to tires and brakes—came about precisely because Vasseur ordered no team orders. Both Lewis and Charles brought their own respective engineers into the mix earlier this season creating an environment where individual drivers want nothing more than P1. Isn’t the pit wall meant to assist its drivers with accurate information and suggestions so they can execute on the track and win?
Vasseur insists that the team must improve execution to put their drivers in the best position. Not revealing the overall strategy was counterproductive to win the race: races shouldn’t be won solely by data and pit wall instructions; they should be won by drivers. Both Hamilton and Leclerc have consistently showcased their skill this season, creating a dynamic that works for Scuderia Ferrari—much like Mercedes.
Despite the criticism, Scuderia Ferrari is currently tied for P2 in the Drivers World Championship and 87 Point’s behind the current forntrunners. Like most team principals, Ferrari’s Frédéric Vasseur spent the first half of the season researching in preparation for homologation submissions. Being able to rely on drivers who can carry their own weight is commendable; although it hasn’t been a popular choice, the results speak for themselves.
