Leo Turini on Frederic Vasseur’s HR policy

Leo Turini, one of Italy’s most experienced motorsport journalists and a passionate Ferrari fan, asks honest questions because he – probably not the only one – believes that the management of his favourite team is making questionable decisions that could lead to unpleasant consequences…

Overall, this summer for us Ferrari fans is not going as we dreamed after victories in the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans…

I repeat again that Frederic Vasseur has the right to form the team as he wants. If it goes badly, he will of course be sued. Although it must be admitted that the atmosphere in the racing department of Ferrari is more or less lively.

And yet, how can you deny the obvious, when the technical innovations the Scuderia brought to the last races worked so well that you could only cry?!?

Maybe they’ll start from Hungary. Maybe. The outcome of the races in Spain, Austria and Great Britain will remain mercilessly sad either way.

It is also extremely important to ask this question: what impact will the departure of Enrico Cardile have on the work of the team? Not because he was a brilliant technical director, that is not the point. But he coordinated all the work of the technical department, including of course the project of the 2025 car, which is already at a fairly advanced stage.

It is strange that his departure to Ferrari is seen as a normal course of events. How is this even possible? And at this point in the season?

When James Ellison was sacked in July 2016, was that a good thing? And even in this form. If, for example, Enrico Gualtieri, the Scuderia’s chief mechanic, suddenly agreed to move to Mercedes, would this also be a regular episode? Because Maranello is full of engine specialists…

By the way, I remember the name of the person replacing Ellison was announced literally the next minute after the Brit left.

There is nothing normal about this, I say this completely seriously. I remain convinced that Wasser has the right to choose who he works with. But I would like to add: it would be nice if he would explain the logic of personnel decisions. Why Carlos Sainz will be replaced by Lewis Hamilton next year, for example, has become clear to everyone – even to those who disagree.

However, the team was without a technical director in the middle of the season, waiting for a certain “Mr.

Finally, a consideration, also quite important. Don’t be surprised if you hear soon that Mattia Binotto will take over the CEO position of a not so bad team.