Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur insists the mood at the team is incredibly good, despite the Scuderia only picking up three points finishes in the opening three races of the 2023 Formula 1 season, and no podiums so far.
Ferrari actually have even less points than their dismal 2020 season and it’s a far cry from 2022 when Charles Leclerc left the Australian Grand Prix with 34-point lead in the drivers’ championship.
Their star driver recently met Ferrari chairman John Elkann amid reported discontent at the team after a raft of departures were reported, but Vasseur said there were no issues in the team.
“The mood of the team is incredibly good for level of results that we have,” Vasseur told the media. “I think everybody is very motivated, very focused. The drivers are very supportive with us. And the mood into the team is more than good.
“Regarding the relationship with John or Benedetto [Vigna, Ferrari CEO], trust me that it’s also very positive
“For sure, we don’t have the results that we are expecting but we are all working together to improve the situation.”
Vasseur: Leclerc still motivated for Ferrari
Leclerc‘s Ferrari deal runs out at the end of 2024 and there’s been plenty of rumours that the Monegasque driver’s unhappy as the team struggles to challenge not just Red Bull, but Mercedes and Aston Martin.
He was the strongest non-Red Bull in qualifying for the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GP, but Ferrari have been unable to match that on raceday and a clumsy move on Lance Stroll at the start of the Australian GP ended his race after just three corners.
That’s after the frustration boiled over at times in 2022 as Ferrari reliability issues and strategy errors cost Leclerc multiple wins in his championship battle with Verstappen.
However, Vasseur pushed back against any rumours that Leclerc isn’t putting his all into the team.
“I have absolutely no doubt about that motivation of Charles,” Vasseur added. “For sure it’s not all gone to plan but the motivation is still there, I have a good relationship with Charles.
“They can’t be happy and I would be very frustrated if they were relaxed and happy with the situation but the most important for me is to keep everybody motivated, pushing in the same direction and they are supporting the team.
“Carlos was there the other week in the simulator and Charles will be there next week. Motivation is not an issue at all, for sure the results are not the result expected but we all know that.”
