Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur

Ex-Ferrari chairman slams ‘leaderless’ team, backs Binotto over Vasseur

12:45, 12 Sep

Updated: 12:51, 12 Sep

bySamson Ero

Luca di Montezemolo has weighed in on the dip in form the Scuderia Ferrari outfit has continued to experience in recent years. The 78-year-old also touched on the leadership structure of the Italian team.

The former Ferrari chairman, who was in the spotlight during the premiere of his documentary about his life at the Visions of the World 2025 festival, was quizzed about his current perception of the Maranello-based outfit.

Montezemolo, who had several stints at Ferrari, appeared far from pleased with the current trajectory of the team and wasted little time to share his verdict.

“What saddens me today is seeing a Ferrari without a leader. There’s no leadership, and above all, I see a lack of a strong and determined soul,” he told Sky Sports Italia.

“One of the things I learned from Ferrari and have always put into practice is that when you win, you have to work even harder, and today, when you’re not winning, it’s even more so.”

Montezemolo: Binotto would have been better

The motorsport chief also questioned Ferrari’s hiring and recruitment process, stressing his belief that former team principal Mattia Binotto would have delivered better results if he had been allowed to continue.

“You have to choose the right people. I had some very good people, number one and number two. Binotto would have been better if he could have continued. Constant change means losing one of the most important elements: the stability of a team. If you change, you have to start over; there are many things to do”.

“Announcements are often made that create excessive expectations. First, we get the results, then we make the announcements.”

Mattia Binotto served as Ferrari’s team principal between 2019 and 2022. The Italian oversaw relative success, albeit far from the lofty expectations many in Italy had envisaged. Binotto was subsequently replaced by Fred Vasseur following the conclusion of the 2022 campaign.

The French motorsport chief has so far led the team to third- and second-place finishes in the Constructors’ Championship across his first two seasons in charge.