The relationship between Vasseur and D’Ambrosio
Frederic Vasseur and Jerome D’Ambrosio – now together at Ferrari as team principal and vice team principal – have known each other since 2003, when the Belgian was still a driver and had done some tests in Formula Renault precisely with the ASM team led by the Frenchman.
In the years following the GP2 era, the two talked about a future together, which never materialized.
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Only when D’Ambrosio hung up his helmet did the relationship with Vasseur become closer, as told in the biography of the French team principal titled ‘En Piste’.
The former Marussia and Lotus F1 driver actually asked for advice on how to set up a life as a motorsport manager from three figures: Vasseur himself and Toto and Susie Wolff.
It was Jerome who proposed himself to Ferrari for the post-Mekies role
D’Ambrosio explained that everything was ready for the move to Sauber to work alongside Vasseur for 2023, but the French manager was called by Ferrari and so the opportunity faded.
Thus the doors of Mercedes opened for him at the beginning of 2023.
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But a year and a half later, D’Ambrosio decided to propose himself to Ferrari and thus to leave the job with Toto Wolff to join Fred Vasseur. He recounted in the book: “It was not an easy decision to make, but Laurent Mekies’ departure had opened an opportunity with Fred. Also, from a personal point of view with 2 small children, England was increasingly less suitable for family needs. This move to Ferrari happened in total transparency and I explained to Toto the reasons for my decision. I was the one who took the initiative to call Fred when Laurent’s departure was announced. And he accepted. After all these years of acquaintance, we could finally work together. A 20-year-old dream coming true”
