Ferrari have now removed photos of one prominent Fred Vasseur critic from their F1 museum

Follow us on Google Discover

Ferrari’s Formula 1 title drought is about to extend to an 18th year. This is no doubt a considerable source of anguish for the team’s legendary figures.

Ferrari are still the most successful team on the grid. Their combined haul of 31 championships is 10 more than nearest challengers McLaren (though that gap is about to be reduced).

Since the Prancing Horse picked up the constructors’ trophy in 2008, Red Bull have won 14 titles and Mercedes have won 15. Ferrari’s status as the sport’s most iconic outfit is increasingly reliant on the past rather than the present.

The longest barren spell in the team’s history, in terms of drivers’ titles, is 21 years (1979-2000). If they don’t nail the new regulations, that record could well be broken.

Ferrari are no longer displaying Luca di Montezemolo photos in their museum

Luca di Montezemolo is one of the most significant figures in Ferrari’s history. Enzo Ferrari invited him to be his assistant and made him the F1 team sporting director.

After overseeing two titles for Niki Lauda in that role, he later became the Ferrari president. Together with Jean Todt, he acquired Michael Schumacher and turned them into a historically dominant force – they won five titles in a row at the start of the century, an unprecedented feat that hasn’t been replicated since.

Di Montezemolo was part of the set-up until 2014, when he was replaced by Sergio Marchionne. But despite his contribution to the team’s success, Gazzetta dello Sport say there are no longer any pictures of him on display at their Maranello museum.

The relationship between the 78-year-old and his past employers is described as ‘broken’. When filming a recent documentary about his career, he wasn’t allowed to shoot any footage at the factory.

Asked about the dispute, he said: “I also say it in the film: jealousy of the past is a bad thing.”

What has Luca di Montezemolo said about Fred Vasseur?

It’s unclear whether or not Di Montezemolo’s omission has anything to do with his strong criticism of Fred Vasseur. But one suspects it has contributed.

In an interview earlier this month, Di Montezemolo said Ferrari had ‘no leader’. He feels they lack a ‘strong, determined soul’.

And during the summer, Di Montezemolo ruled out Lewis Hamilton winning the title for the Scuderia. Ferrari will not appreciate their former president dialling up the already-intense pressure.

It was recently announced that Vasseur had signed a new contract covering the next two seasons. Despite the criticism, he clearly retains the faith of incumbent president John Elkann.