Ferrari arrives at the Italian Grand Prix of Formula 1 still under the effects of the controversy involving Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at the Dutch stage. Luca di Montezemolo took advantage of the episode to question Fred Vasseur’s position within the team.
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In an interview with Quotidiano Nazionale, the former Ferrari president stated that the discussion about the absence of team orders in Zandvoort is just part of a bigger issue. Montezemolo said he perceives Vasseur as isolated and questioned who would be alongside the current team principal if it were necessary to make an unpopular decision.
“After the last race in the Netherlands, I heard criticism of Fred Vasseur because he had not given team orders between Hamilton and Leclerc. However, beyond this specific episode, we should all ask ourselves who the French manager can turn to within the company,” Montezemolo said.
The statement gained strength because Montezemolo recalled a similar situation during his own time in charge of Ferrari, when then Scuderia boss Jean Todt ordered Rubens Barrichello to yield victory to Michael Schumacher in Austria in 2002. According to the former president, the decision was considered necessary for the team’s interests, despite the great dissatisfaction of the Brazilian driver.
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Montezemolo said he personally intervened to support Todt and make it clear that the decision should be respected: “I was the president, so I called Rubens and said: ‘I represent Ferrari, you are one of our employees. If you do not agree with Todt’s decisions, you are free to look for another team’,” he added.
For the former president, the comparison with the 2002 episode serves to highlight the importance of Vasseur having internal support when he needs to make difficult decisions: “I feel Vasseur’s isolation. Who would be by his side if he had to make a decision, perhaps even an unpopular decision?” Montezemolo questioned.
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