Ferrari signal importance of experiencing F1 ‘frustration’

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has stated it is important to experience “frustration” in F1 in order to grow.

The Italian outfit commenced the current season in strong fashion and was Red Bull’s closest challenger in the opening rounds.

However, its form has since dropped away with McLaren and Mercedes making steps forward and winning multiple races.

Ferrari currently appears to have the fourth fastest car in the pecking order and recently conceded position to McLaren in the constructors’ championship.

Vasseur insisted the team can use its tough run as motivation to bounce back going forward.

“Somehow you need to have a kind of frustration when you’re not doing well because it’s also the best push to come back,” he told F1.com. 

“It has to stay under control. We had four tough weekends [Canada, Spain, Austria and Britain].

“The mood in the team was not good, as it was not what we wanted, but there was positivity about trying to catch up and understand why and fix it. The attitude is good.”

Vasseur keen to see more ‘risk’ at Ferrari

Vasseur took over at the helm of Ferrari in 2023 and has implemented his own mentality at the team, which has received full backing from Charles Leclerc.

The Frenchman is keen to see employees at Ferrari take more chances and not shy away from taking risks.

“If I have to be proud of something, it’s not the result,” he said.

“The result is a consequence. It’s more the fact everybody is more keen to take risk, a bit less scared – the consequence is the result. The fact that we are trying to change a bit the mentality.

“It’s a mindset for me. You can’t keep margin. You have to take risk everywhere [if you want to win]. 

“This is a racing mentality. It is probably also the DNA of Red Bull. It’s where we need a step forward.”