Alesi warns Vasseur about what shouldn't change at Ferrari

Jean Alesi believes that Frederic Vasseur's arrival at Ferrari should not change the Italian culture of the team.

It was confirmed in December that Vasseur would join the squad in January as their new Team Principal and General Manager following Mattia Binotto's resignation from his position.

Vasseur becomes only the fourth non-Italian boss at the Scuderia, and will be the first since fellow Frenchman Jean Todt departed the role in 2007.

Todt experienced great success during his stint with the team and Alesi does not expect Vasseur to face any problems from being an 'outsider' initially.

However, he anticipates that Vasseur will need to seek support from other members of the outfit.

"Let's be honest, on the tactical front, Ferrari were unwatchable last year," Alesi told Italian publication Autosprint.

"Things definitely need to change, otherwise there is no way out for the team. I think Vasseur has to rely very much on Laurent Mekies [Racing Director]."

Alesi warns against some changes at Ferrari

Alesi thinks that Mekies can help Vasseur in deciding which areas to change at Ferrari and which to keep the same.

"Mekies has been at Ferrari for years and he can be the ideal person for Vasseur to see where things need to be changed and what, on the contrary, should stay the same because there is potential," Alesi said.

One thing that Alesi does not believe needs to be altered is the Italian culture within the squad.

"If you tell me that Ferrari is going to speak or should speak more and more French, I will say no immediately," the Frenchman – who claimed his only Formula 1 victory with the Scuderia – explained.

"Maranello is Italian. One has to speak Italian and only Italian.

"I once drove for the Scuderia and there I experienced the very best moments of my career."