Now, Schumacher has said that Vasseur may yet be the man to turn around the team's fortunes, despite a poor first season in charge.
"In Brazil, Mercedes' weakness was actually a opportunity for Ferrari in the fight for second place in the constructors' championship," Schumacher told Sky Germany.
"The Red team, however, didn't have a good weekend either.
"We must give Frederic Vasseur time, he cannot transform the entire company in six or seven months.
"Even Michael, Ross Brawn and Jean Todt took a few years."