Audi did not stop Vasseur from moving to Ferrari

According to Frederic Vasseur, Audi’s management did not interfere with his move to Ferrari when he inquired about his plans for the future.

Previously, Vasseur led the Sauber Group and the Alfa Romeo team, but has now replaced Mattia Binotto as head of the Scuderia. It was under him that the team from Hinwil began to overcome the crisis period and took 6th place in the constructors’ championship last season. Vasseur also took part in negotiations with Audi, which has acquired a stake in the Sauber Group and is preparing to enter Formula 1 in 2026. However, the German company did not try to persuade him to stay.

“When I had a conversation with Ferrari, I didn’t share it with anyone,” Racer quoted Vasseur as saying. – We discussed this with John Elkann, the president of Ferrari, and before the official statement was made, I did not tell anyone. And when I spoke to people from Audi, they said that offers from Ferrari should not be refused.

Frederic Vasser became the fifth head of the Italian team in the last 10 years, but he has no doubts about the potential of the Scuderia and its potential for successful development in the future.

“It is clear that my experience in Maranello is limited to just a few weeks, but I am convinced that Ferrari has everything to win today,” said the French specialist. “To do a good job, we have to put everything together, but we have everything we need…”

I believe that if we outperform our competitors in the coming months and years, we can achieve victories. This does not mean that there are any guarantees of that, because you can recall examples of other teams that dominated a few years ago, but have now lost ground. Formula 1 is a constantly changing world, and we just have to focus completely on our work, on getting results, and then anything is possible.

Vasser also said kind words to his former colleagues: “The Sauber team remains in my thoughts as I had excellent relationships with everyone, so I wish them all the very best in the future. It won’t be easy, but our job is always about overcoming different challenges, I can’t imagine anyone in Formula 1 can have an easy life.”