![Ferrari F1 announces the appointment of Frédéric Vasseur as team representative[F1-Gate.com]](https://i0.wp.com/f1-gate.com/media/img2022/20221213-ferrari.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1 "Ferrari F1 announces the appointment of Frédéric Vasseur as team representative[F1-Gate.com]")
Ferrari have announced the appointment of Frédéric Vasseur as new F1 team principal, replacing Mattia Binotto.
Frédéric Vasseur, 54, has joined Scuderia Ferrari after spending the last five years at Sauber, replacing Mattia Binotto, who stepped down as Ferrari’s F1 team boss late last month. His official role will be Team Principal and General Manager from January 9th.
“I am very pleased and honored to take the lead of Scuderia Ferrari as Team Principal,” said Vasseur.
“As someone who has always had a lifelong passion for motorsport, Ferrari has always represented the pinnacle of racing for me.”
“We look forward to working with the talented and genuinely passionate Maranello team to honor the Scuderia’s history and heritage and contribute to Tifosi around the world.”
“We are delighted to welcome Frédéric Vasseur to Ferrari as Team Principal,” said Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari Chief Executive Officer.
“Throughout his career, he has successfully combined his technical strengths as a trained engineer with his consistent ability to bring out the best in drivers and teams. He’s what you need to move Ferrari forward.”
Reports first emerged from Italy ahead of the final race of the season at F1’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that Mattia Binotto was leaving the team and being replaced by Frédéric Vasseur.
The arrival of Frédéric Vasseur is part of Ferrari’s efforts to end an F1 title drought that dates back to 2007.
Ferrari will benefit from Vasseur’s long career in motorsport, who co-founded the ART Grand Prix Junior team and coached Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Nico Rosberg.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, who made his F1 debut with Frédéric Vasseur at Sauber in 2018, also said he appreciated his handling style in Bologna last week.
“I’ve worked with Fred before from the junior category and he trusted me. Since then we’ve always had a good relationship,” said Charles Leclerc.
“But other than that it’s clear that this shouldn’t influence the decision. He’s always been very forthright, very honest and that’s what I like about Fred.”
During his time at Sauber, which has been racing under the Alfa Romeo name since 2019, Frédéric Vasseur helped transform the team after years of financial strife and uncertainty.
The Alfa Romeo F1 Team finished 6th in the constructors’ standings in 2022, the best result of the last decade. It has a deal to become a factory team when Audi joins the grid in 2026.
