Carlos Sainz is confident of Frederic Vasseur’s chances of success as Ferrari’s team principal following his appointment on Tuesday.
In a bumper day of news in Formula 1 team management, Vasseur was confirmed as Mattia Binotto’s replacement after the Italian stepped down, with McLaren’s Andreas Seidl moving over to replace the 54-year-old at Alfa Romeo.
Ferrari launched a title bid this year, with Sainz and team-mate Charles Leclerc winning four races between them as they ultimately lost out to Max Verstappen and Red Bull on the championships.
READ MORE: Vasseur confirmed as new Ferrari Team Principal
A large focal point was placed on strategic errors made by the team on their way to a second-placed finish, and Binotto headed for the exit door after the Verstappen and Sergio Perez helped Red Bull run away with the titles in 2022.
Vasseur will be acutely aware of the tough job he will be walking into, where chairman John Elkann’s the magnifying glass will be perennially on him, but Sainz believes that, given time and patience, the Frenchman will prove a good appointment.
“Whenever someone new arrives, he has extra motivation, wanting to do well for himself and for the team,” he told Motorsport.com.
“You have to give him time to see how the team works, know what changes are needed. Ferrari is very big and I know it will take time. It doesn’t happen from one day to the next.”
Sainz joined Renault in 2017 just over a year after Vasseur departed for Sauber, which would ultimately become Alfa Romeo, and is soon set to rebrand as Audi.
The Spaniard revealed that he had already been scouted by Vasseur as a possible option for Renault six years ago, so he has a close rapport with his new boss.
“I’ve heard very good things about him,” explained Sainz.
“I know him personally, he already wanted to sign me to go to Renault. I spoke to him yesterday, I called him and I had my first contact as a Ferrari driver. I know he’s going to do well.”
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