Ferrari makes first changes amid 2019 crisis
In Monaco, Mercedes' impressive run of 1-2 finishes finally ended, even though Lewis Hamilton won and Valtteri Bottas was third.
One reporter joked that the dominant team had therefore entered a crisis, and boss Toto Wolff played along: "Yes, and I assume full responsibility."
The actual crisis, according to the Italian media, is at Ferrari.
That crisis took another step forward in Monaco, with a basic strategy mistake that saw local driver Charles Leclerc stranded down the grid after qualifying.
"These things can't happen at Ferrari," said Umberto Zapelloni, who writes for La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"It can't happen when you have a hundred engineers in front of computers, but perhaps it is because they think like nerds and don't race like men."
2016 world champion Nico Rosberg said after Monaco that Ferrari "must make changes in personnel".
Team boss Mattia Binotto denied that, but Italian sources report that changes are in fact now being made behind the scenes at Ferrari.
Corriere della Sera said top engineers Alessandro Cinelli and Giacomo Tortora have been shuffled out of their respective positions. Marco Adurno has received a promotion.
Binotto's bosses John Elkann and Louis Camilleri have also reportedly approved a bigger budget to update the car's front suspension without affecting the rest of the programme.
"Mattia Binotto has my full support, and I am sure he will find a solution," said CEO Camilleri.
But even amid the reactions, there are rumours of more serious trouble at Ferrari. An Italian source claims relations between Leclerc and Ferrari's respective management teams have hit a worrying low.
Binotto said after Monaco that Leclerc overdid his charge from the back of the pack in Monaco, but Corriere della Sera said the youngster "raced with a rage that was more than justified".
"This championship is over for Ferrari," the newspaper continued. "Everything else is boring stories.
"We need to plan for the future, relying on Leclerc's motivation, intellect and skill."
For his part, and even amid the rumours of a breakdown in relations with Ferrari, Leclerc vowed to move on.
"Just moving on," he answered when asked how he will react after the disappointment of his home race.
"I cannot change what happened, so it makes no sense to continue thinking about it.
"We need to continue to work with the confidence that the next weekend will be better," said Leclerc.
Finally, former Ferrari boss Jean Todt backed the Maranello team to bounce back eventually.
"The team is very strong and the car is competitive," the FIA president told Rai radio.
"Perhaps a little salt and pepper is missing in the recipe, but I am sure they will succeed."
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whats the block on my P C on f1 guys
As if you don't know! It's because the moderator blocked you for making Racist remarks about Lewis Hamilton and then telling most of us who told you what we thought to ************. Best if you just crawl back under that stone.
You really are a vile human being. Even being blocked hasn't changed your attitude, nor your anger. Lets just hope LEOPOLD means what he told several of us last time and blocks you because no one needs you intolerant views and bile
Sono, siamo stanchi delle scaramucce: Voglio, vogliamo gente seria, competente ed espediente ai vertici perché e chi rappresenta FERRARI non sia il solito oppure prossimo inconsapevole.
Di mezzo c'e'la Storia, il prestigio di un intero Paese che non rappresentate ed in F1 da troppe lune orsono, vuole gente che sappia masticare con orgoglio un mestiere, il MESTIERE non i primi della classe che mai si sono sporcati le mani assenti d'ogni sensazione fosse pure immaginaria. Mi avvalgo in AUS insegnare i futuri Meccatronici e spesso mi chiedo se un ignorante come chi vi scrive avendo conseguito l'Universita_lita' della Vita possa esservi di sincero, Professionale contributo, possibilmente.
I think leclerc attitude was wrong pass or crash at the end of the day he didn't get any where there is no point racing with that sort of mental attitude you either going to get hurt or worse hurt some one else keep it calm
Lets hope live and learn gets into his head,he was very upset with his team but he must learn
to accept and move on the race is not for hothead behavure
David, You are blocked because we dont want racists on this site- just as Blackdog explained earlier- read, understand and go away please.
Neil and Spanner, I see your point, but I disagree with you. Of course, that doesn't mean that either of you, or I, for that matter, are right.
Leclerc was horrendously jerked around by the Ferrari strategists. To expect him to be indifferent to that emotionally is really unrealistic.
Monaco track is notorious for the lack of passing opportunities. Consequently, it is unfair to jump on his case for trying to pass. Racing cars are safest when parked, but that's not what they are built for. He made one successful pass and the second resulted in punctures with results we all know.
People already (including Hamilton himself) complain that the cars are too easy to drive. If the races are to be reduced to who gets the people and the tire management skills, we may just as well petition for indoors time trials and be done.
What's the point of having a race if the drivers have to act like emotionless nerds?
OK Simon on that level i must agree with you ,old heads on young shoulders,are hard to find
Volessi che il Direttore di gara frequentasse i circuiti ma, per vendere bibite oppure deportato a Losanna ha fare quello che piu' di tutti sanno fare; Conteggiare tutto quello che le Mafie ha livello mondiale depositano in nero. Unitamente gli ingegneri, che si nascondono dietro le formule, i calcoli quando gli avi si avvalevano non solo di prestazioni ma oltremodo di sensazioni Umano_Logiche. Volere gestire, amministrare non vuole necessariamente dire SAPERE: Frutto di ENNESIME ed INSENSATE scelte INDUSTRIALI.
YES ITS A SHAME I DO NOT KNOW WHATS HAPPEN TO FERRARI ITS A DAM SHAME
Leclerc soon will be lucky to get his Alfa seat back .What a huge disappointment he is !
what results has he produced so far other than Embarrassing the team
Leclerc was promoted too early. There were better drivers available like Ricciardo. So don't blame Leclerc for Ferrari's problems. Ferrari needs better managers and strategists. Everyone else is doing a great job.
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