Vasseur explains recruitment challenge facing Ferrari

Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur has explained the recruitment challenge that faces the team as he attempts to bring it back to winning ways.

Vasseur replaced Mattia Binotto at the start of the season and he endured a tough start with the inconsistent SF-23, which has proved to be tough to drive for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

A number of key staff also left the team including Head of Vehicle concept David Sanchez moving to McLaren and Sporting Director Laurent Mekies leaving to join AlphaTauri.

The team has been on a recruitment drive since their departures, but the process has proved to be a long one.

Vasseur explained to media, including RacingNews365: "With recruitment, we're already in discussions.," he said.

"It's a very long process and the consequence of this is that the people will join sometimes in a couple of months.

"But we have people starting in the company on 1st of January 2024 and some in July 2024, some will start at the beginning of 2025.

"It's a very long-term process and somehow it's a bit frustrating also because you have the feeling that you are working for two or three years from today."

Vasseur: Ferrari 'fought' to finalise race team

Although the length of 'gardening leave' in F1 contracts means it could be a few years before key signings join the team, Vasseur claims he has 'fought' to ensure they have the race team sorted to boost the moral.

"But on the other end, if you don't start to do it you will never get it [who you want] and you need to have a push on it. I think we made a good step forward," he explained.

"We fought to finalise the race team, including the deal with the current team of the guys, but it's important to keep it confidential and to work in a good mood.

"I don't want to jeopardise something, but soon we will have some announcements."