When a new Formula 1 team chief assumes control of Ferrari the next year, Charles Leclerc predicts a "smooth transition."
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Mattia Binotto, the team’s current incumbent, just announced his resignation and upcoming departure at the end of December. His successor has not yet been named. The head of Alfa Romeo, Fred Vasseur, is thought to be the front-runner for the position. Vasseur has a history of working closely with Leclerc at both ART and Sauber. Leclerc stated, “Mattia called me to say he would stop. “I honour his choice. And all I can say is thank you. He gave me a very, very lengthy contract, so it’s clear that he trusted in me from the beginning. “And before serving as team principal, he spent a very long time working for the Scuderia, where he helped the team achieve success in previous seasons. So I wish him the best, and now it’s up to us to think about the future and make the proper decisions so that we can challenge Red Bull a little more in the coming year.
Leclerc discounted the idea that a change in leadership may be disruptive due to a change in strategy. Since I’ve always raced for the same team, I’ve never had a team principal shift, so I honestly don’t know, he added. “Given that Ferrari is a very large organization, it will certainly take some time for the team principal to feel comfortable with the system. But if it’s done correctly, I think we won’t experience any negative effects on the track. So I have a good feeling that the move will go well.”
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Leclerc emphasised that he will not have any say in who might succeed Binotto and that CEO Benedetto Vigna and Chairman John Elkann of Ferrari will make that selection. “When asked whether he had a preference, he responded, “I won’t comment on that. Of course, neither John nor Benedetto, who will make the decision, nor do I. And in order to have the finest race car for the upcoming season, we are just attempting to concentrate on our work in the simulator and with the crew. However, they will make the choice.”
However, he made it plain that he had a strong relationship with his old boss when questioned if Vasseur would be a good fit. “Ferrari is a pretty unique team compared to other teams, I mean. I can just speak to my positive interaction with Fred, which is all I have to say. I’ve been working with Fred since the junior categories, when he first supported me, and since then, we’ve always gotten along well. However, aside from that, it is evident that none of the decisions should be influenced by this. He has always been quite direct and sincere. And Fred did something here that I found admirable.
