Alpine Method 1 staff boss Flavio Briatore has delivered his verdict on the fragile driver state of affairs dealing with Ferrari Crew Principal Fred Vasseur.
Ferrari has discovered itself in a quandary this 12 months, because the Scuderia’s challenger began 2026 because the closest package deal to the all conquering Mercedes W17.
The SF-26 has produced two wins up to now, one every for Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, however upgrades from rivals has seen it fall down the aggressive order.
This has led to each drivers pushing arduous on circuit, together with the now notorious flashpoint of Monza, the place Leclerc ran Hamilton off the street on the first chicane, making a headache for Vasseur.
Briatore, no stranger to delicate driver conditions himself through the years, has delivered his verdict on the state of affairs and the challenges of managing two drivers vying for primary standing in Ferrari.
“Ferrari is aggressive, however there’s at all times one thing lacking,” the de facto Alpine staff boss advised Corriere della Sera.
“The factor is, successful a World Championship is sophisticated, not least as a result of there are the others…”
“So far as I do know, they’re a bickering pair.
“Managing two huge drivers isn’t simple.
“You simply must make it clear to everybody that the automotive belongs to the staff. It takes duty and care.
“I’d by no means wish to see one in every of my drivers push the opposite off the observe.”
What would Flavio Briatore do?
Briatore known as for endurance to resolve the finely balanced state of affairs, arguing that Vasseur’s work to overtake Ferrari’s operations have to be allowed to proceed.
“Options come when you recognize the affected person. You must perceive the issue earlier than you possibly can attempt to repair it.
“Within the meantime, Vasseur’s work have to be revered; errors occur in each staff.
“However a successful Ferrari is an asset for the entire of F1; we’re all rooting for that Prancing Horse to some extent.”
Biatore was additionally fast to close down any ideas of himself taking the highest job at F1’s most well-known staff.
“It’s too late,” he stated. “Though Ferrari is the lover everybody want to have.
“However I’ve by no means been near Maranello; I’ve at all times been on the opposite aspect of the fence.”
Briatore speaks from substantial expertise in each managing drivers and groups in varied states of competitiveness and decline. Vasseur faces a problem at Ferrari that few can relate to, with Briatore’s newest perception solely reaffirming this.
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