Leclerc highlights unusual Vasseur quirk behind Ferrari revival

Charles Leclerc feels the fact team principal Fred Vasseur is “emotionally flat” has been a vital asset in Ferrari’s revival.

Vasseur has now been in charge of the Scuderia for two seasons, taking up the helm in January 2023 after Mattia Binotto left at the end of the previous season.

After a transitional debut campaign in charge, Vasseur steered Ferrari to within 14 points of its first constructors’ championship in 16 years last term as it had to settle for second-best behind McLaren.

With the hope of another title push this coming season following the carryover between the cars, Leclerc has outlined why Vasseur has transformed Ferrari’s fortunes.

“Where Fred is extremely good is in taking a step back in whatever situation we find ourselves in,” said Leclerc, speaking to The New York Times at the end of last season.

“That’s very difficult because it’s a sport, and we all care a lot about what we do, we all want to do well, and we are affected whether things go good or bad.

“But Fred is very emotionally flat, and that helps a team like Ferrari so much because the team is all the opposite, mostly because there’s so much passion within the team. Emotions run very high both ways, whether they are good or bad.

“Fred is the kind of guy that manages straight away, even within a weekend where emotions can be super good or super bad, to take a step back.

“Twenty minutes after a race, we all sit down together, and he’s already on a very good analysis, putting emotions aside, and that’s a huge quality to run Ferrari.”

It is a trait Leclerc feels has not altered within Vasseur over the years given he previously worked under the Frenchman during his debut F1 year with Alfa Romeo in 2018, and also with ART Grand Prix during his junior single-seater days.

“I feel like he’s always had that in himself,” said Leclerc. “He’s always had the consistency.

“Whenever I go and see Fred, I know what to expect. It’s not like there’s any kind of difference in humour or whatever.”