Credit: Sam Bagnall courtesy of FIA Formula E
Maserati MSG Racing Team Principal James Rossiter has admitted that “there’s still a huge amount to learn”, following his first campaign in his role at the Monte-Carlo-based team.
For the first time in his motorsport career, Rossiter made the step up to become a Team Principal in season nine, after being chosen as ex-Formula 1 driver Jérôme d’Ambrosio’s replacement. D’Ambrosio left his position ahead of Venturi Racing’s rebranding into Maserati, with the Belgian having since moved to work for Mercedes in F1.
Following his move into the senior Maserati position, Rossiter also confirmed his retirement from motorsport, bringing a long and successful career to a close. Rossiter didn’t completely make the huge leap from being a driver to being a Team Principal, as he held the role of Sporting Director at DS Techeetah in season seven and eight.
Nevertheless, stepping into the Team Principal role in a team as big and illustrious as Maserati was a big step for Rossiter, who faced challenges right from the get-go. The historic Italian manufacturer’s return to single-seater racing failed to go as planned, with multiple driver errors having left the side towards the foot of the standings early on.
Top-10 finishes were a rarity for the outfit early in season nine, before their campaign came to life in Berlin. Maximilian Günther claimed the team’s first podium of the season in the German capital, something which truly kickstarted a tremendous run of form.
Günther went onto top every single session in the Jakarta double-header bar one, the opening race of the weekend. It meant he was victorious in race two, securing Maserati their first single-seater victory since 1957.
It was a hugely memorable moment for the entire team and Rossiter included, given that it was the first victory he’d experienced as a team’s leader. Günther continued his fine form in Rome, where he salvaged a home rostrum for Maserati.
Above: Günther (L) and Rossiter (R) celebrating the German’s victory in Jakarta – Credit: Sam Bagnall courtesy of FIA Formula E
The side’s second half of season nine was a real success, with the entire squad having built in stature and confidence as the campaign developed. Rossiter, too, really grew into the Team Principal role, something which understandably takes time to adjust to. This will only continue during the current off-season and into season 10, where Maserati will look to challenge the frontrunners more often.
There is no doubting that it was a maiden season as a Team Principal to remember for Rossiter, who is relishing the “amazing journey” he’s embarked on.
With it still being very early days in his Team Principal career, the 40-year-old is continuing to learn more things about the role and what he needs to do “every day”, something which has seen him step “well outside my comfort zone”.
“I mean, I’m finding areas every day that I can continue to improve. It’s been an amazing journey. Not even 12 months yet from my first day here. It’s been an incredible road,” Rossiter said during a virtual roundtable to select media, when asked by Motorsport Week about what he’s learnt since becoming Team Principal and what he feels he needs to improve on.
“I mean, what I’ve learned, the people that I’ve met here, the whole experience, challenging myself, being well outside my comfort zone on many occasions, as I said before, going through the low moments that we had early on in the season really showed me that grit and determination is what’s needed for success.
“And how you build off of those low moments will shape how long you will stay at the top of the mountain for and putting in all the effort and all the energy. It really showed me that all the men and women that I’ve worked with here are willing to put in every single second to make sure that it counts.”
Rossiter continued to stress that the entire team “bring their best” every day they’re at work, with the team boss recognising the importance of insuring that they have a “clear direction” to work in under his leadership. This is not only for Maserati’s benefit but also his own.
“Every day they turn up, they bring their best and whatever I can do to enhance that and to really lead them, give them clear direction, give myself clear direction. Many times, it’s been a journey and one that I’m very excited to have been on for the last 12 months,” Rossiter added.
“I can’t wait to see what I will continue to learn in the future. There’s still a huge amount to learn and hopefully I can do myself proud as well as everyone in the team.”
Keyword: Rossiter on first year as a Team Principal: ‘There’s still a huge amount to learn’