F1: Discontent at Ferrari HQ ahead of Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Several situations disturb the sleep of Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari's managing director. Laurent Mekies has been confirmed as racing director, but his role is more limited than in Binotto's time.
So much so that he would have reached an agreement to move to Formula 1, alongside Stefano Domenicali, but Vasseur has vetoed it and the situation is currently at a standstill.
David Sanchez has resigned to move to McLaren, joining Michael Leiters, who was cut by Vigna himself. There are also contracts expiring next year, such as that of technical director Enrico Cardile.
Vasseur himself had already caused Vigna's discontent by deciding to share the flight to Bahrain with Toto Wolff, executive director of Mercedes, as well as by meeting him after qualifying in the team's RV. The two have been friends for a long time, but Vigna did not think this was fair behavior toward Ferrari.
A minor incident that fits into an already particularly agitated context after the Rossa's bad debut in Bahrain.
In fact, Charles Leclerc requested a meeting with John Elkann in Maranello, visibly concerned about the problems still plaguing Ferrari, and the atmosphere at the HQ is reported to be rather tense.
It is not just the fault of a lower than expected competitiveness shown in the race, or the withdrawal of the Monegasque driver, but more generally there is ill-feeling because predictions based on wind tunnel and simulator data proved to be fallacious.
Even before the GP, they had to replace the ECU. A technical vacuum likely hit the Ferrari team between Binotto's departure and Vasseur's arrival, and reassurance was needed.
For all these reasons, the new team principal, fresh off the gaffe with Wolff, wanted to tighten the team's ranks by holding a big meeting with all employees and urging them to stick together after a fairly worrying start to the season.
There is a world championship to straighten out immediately by increasing the competitiveness and reliability of the red cars. And in Saudi Arabia, Ferrari must provide answers.
