Sep.22 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur has hit again at hypothesis Ferrari is bleeding employees, whilst his drivers clashed in Baku over ignored group orders.
“The story of individuals leaving Maranello is a joke,” the Frenchman snapped.
He was responding to the newest rumours that the sudden departure of key engine-focused personnel for Audi was a part of a wider shedding of employees to rival groups.
“There’s all the time turnover – within the final 18 months we’ve recruited 60 folks from different groups,” Vasseur insisted.
“I’m satisfied we’ve got a group that may win, however clearly we have to enhance in each side. However I’m not afraid of this in any respect. We have to hold pushing and be extra opportunistic.”
The feedback got here on the finish of a scrappy weekend that noticed Ferrari’s tempo collapse simply as rivals McLaren additionally stumbled. “We’ve got related traits to McLaren,” admitted Vasseur. “After they shine, we shine, and once they don’t, neither can we.
“Mercedes and Purple Bull are on the opposite aspect.”
However headlines in Baku have been dominated by Lewis Hamilton’s refusal handy P8 again to teammate Charles Leclerc on the ultimate lap. Ferrari instructed the Briton to let the Monegasque by way of after a late swap, however Hamilton stated he misjudged the timing.
“I solely acquired the radio message shortly earlier than the tip,” Hamilton defined. “I lifted off the accelerator and braked, however we missed the mark by about four-tenths. That gained’t occur once more. It was simply my mistake.”
He added: “Charles kindly let me by way of earlier. I used to be so centered on the automobile in entrance that I misjudged it. I’ll apologise to Charles.”
Leclerc, nonetheless, was visibly irritated. “I don’t actually care, as a result of it’s solely about eighth place,” he stated with a sneer.
“However it’s simply silly, as a result of it’s not honest. There are guidelines about how we act in a swap. They weren’t adopted. However it’s effective – he could be pleased with eighth place.”
The 27-year-old downplayed the significance of the incident however admitted the precept stung. “If we’re preventing for higher positions, I hope we’ll method issues in a different way. However on a day like this, actually, I don’t actually care.
“We’ve been very gradual all weekend, and that’s what we needs to be specializing in.”
Seven time world champion Hamilton, in the meantime, has made no secret of his dissatisfaction with Ferrari’s 2025 automobile. “I’d give something for an improve,” he stated. “However we haven’t had one.
“Purple Bull has made a step, we haven’t. We’re just a few steps behind.”
Leclerc echoed the frustration however clung to faint optimism. “Let’s assume will probably be very troublesome,” he admitted when requested if he would possibly win a race earlier than the season is out.
