By: There have recently been many rumours about the internal situation at Ferrari. There is talk of discontent and questionable management of day-to-day operations. Let us say that history, especially in Formula 1, is made by results. A manager may even be seen as a Napoleon – although we still do not quite understand why that should be considered a flaw: if memory serves, Napoleon won rather a lot of battles – but they will command support as long as their decisions are vindicated, and will quickly be shown the door once they can no longer win over the team and the public.
Managers come and go
When fans are asked about Ferrari’s future and who they would like to see leading their beloved team, the answers emerge as simply as daisies in the sun. The most common names are, naturally, Horner and Wolff. Unfortunately, one is less likely than the other. We say unfortunately because the former Red Bull team principal and the current Mercedes boss have very strong personalities, which would be difficult to fit into Ferrari’s current system.
Fortunately, what we can say is that people come and go within a team. However good Toto Wolff may be, one day he will have to pass on his legacy to someone else. Will that spell the end for Mercedes? Not necessarily. It depends on what he leaves behind. If Wolff is good enough to leave the team with an idea, a vision, then Mercedes will always enjoy a successful organisation.
The Prancing Horse needs a vision
In business and team sports, there is sometimes a tendency to think that one individual can make a huge difference. That can happen, but it is not the only thing that matters. Just consider the year Newey and Aston Martin are having.
That is why we say Ferrari does not need prominent figures or illustrious managers. The Prancing Horse needs a vision, a project, a plan, but above all it needs to rediscover the determination and political strength the team once had. Achieving that does not necessarily require famous figures, but it does require presence, passion, sacrifice and commitment. These are qualities that can be found in anyone; it is simply a matter of knowing where to look.
Anyone can replace Wolff, but no one can replace an entire team. The team needs the right environment in which to grow authentically and strongly. Ferrari and Mercedes have their own identities because they are made up of a collection of very different minds. Wolff’s strength is that he wanted to make his tenure a unique period, something we have not seen happen at Ferrari for a very, very long time.
