Ferrari should ignore Christian Horner and remain loyal to Fred Vasseur because the former would not attract fresh talent to Maranello, according to his former Red Bull colleague Richard Hopkins.
Horner described the Ferrari position as a "dream job" during an interview last month, twelve months after his departure from Red Bull. However, Hopkins, who served as Head of Operations at Red Bull between 2013 and 2015 after spending five years as Operations Manager, suggested Horner would not entice leading figures to Maranello.
Doubts over Horner's appeal
Speaking to the Daily Star on behalf of iPredicta, Hopkins said: "I'm trying to be very neutral here, and I've got nothing against Christian? I'm just wondering if Christian came into the team, from a personnel point of view, who would be attracted to Ferrari because Christian's there?"
He added: "I left McLaren to go to Red Bull mainly because Adrian was there. Because I thought, 'God, if Adrian's at this team, things are going to happen.' Everybody wants to go and work for a team that Adrian Newey's at, leading the technical side. Engineers want to go and work for that team. I don't know if Christian has the same sort of draw, that same sort of magnetism. I don't think so."
Vasseur deserves more time
Hopkins argued that Ferrari have been guilty of changing leaders too frequently and should give Vasseur more time. He said: "He's not going to bring Adrian Newey in, is he? So I don't know. If I was the board, I would stick with Fred. I think one thing that Ferrari have been guilty of, as much as the UK government is having too many leaders in too short a period of time, I think you've got to give somebody time."
He continued: "Regardless of how long he's been there, I think you need to give him a little bit longer. I think you'd have a conversation with Christian and say, 'Flattered that you're interested in coming to Ferrari. Let's keep the conversation going. But for the moment, Fred has my vote of confidence.'"
Stability and culture shift
Hopkins highlighted the importance of stability, noting: "The drivers like him. If the team outside of the boardroom are supportive of Fred, that creates a bit of harmony within the team and stability within the team. To bring Christian in... Christian might be able to bring things to the team that Fred can't, but at the end of the day, for the moment, they've got some stability. Ferrari haven't had that. They've had moments where things are constantly changing and moving."
He referenced the Schumacher era as an example of stability bringing success: "Back in the Schumacher days, the engineering team were amazing. Obviously Ross Brawn and that team were great, and there was stability, and that brought lots of success. So I think we've got to let Fred do what Fred does and see how that plays out. That's what I would do if I was in the boardroom. I would certainly keep Fred, I think."
However, Hopkins, who worked at McLaren as a mechanic for 15 years before Red Bull, still believes Ferrari are in great need of a shake-up. The Italians have been plagued by a number of errors this season, which resurfaced at the Singapore Grand Prix, with Vasseur claiming Lewis Hamilton had gone against orders. Hopkins believes there needs to be a key culture shift.
He said: "The buck stops with the team principal at the end of the day. Fred is a very successful motorsport person. He's had a lot of success in lots of things he's done in motorsport. Why shouldn't that translate into Ferrari and winning? He's got two great drivers. I think they've got some good personnel there. Have they got the best personnel at Ferrari? That's debatable."
He added: "Would bringing Christian in change that? Ultimately, could they do better than Lewis and Charles? Maybe. But I think that's a pretty good team. I think that's a pretty good driver line-up. You could throw one out, but then you're into a bit of jeopardy over who you're putting back in the seat."
Hopkins concluded: "I think that, if I went into Ferrari, I don't think I'd be looking at changing the drivers for the moment. Lewis has still obviously got speed about him. He might have lost a bit, but he's still well up there. Maybe he had a bit to lose. And Charles has had a bit of an iffy season, but ultimately, he's a bloody good, quick driver. Personnel-wise within the team, yeah, they might be bringing some people in."
He added: "It might be a bit of a conundrum that might be going on in the Ferrari boardroom: if they're more likely to win with Horner than Vasseur. You're better with the devil you know. I don't think Fred's doing a bad job and it's very difficult to win every Grand Prix."
"Famously, one team principal said, 'look, I don't design the car. I don't fit the tyres, I don't drive the car, I'm not a race engineer', but the team principal is responsible for all those functions and the driver and everything else."
