Frederic Vasseur has openly acknowledged that Ferrari cannot operate in a state of complete calm while rumours about his future continue to swirl, especially after Christian Horner’s recent comments describing a Ferrari seat as the "dream" job in Formula 1. Vasseur, who took over as team principal from Sauber at the start of the 2023 season, has overseen a noticeable revival for the Scuderia this year. After a disappointing 2025 campaign, the team managed to secure race victories again, but the challenge for the world championship against Mercedes has faded as the season progressed, highlighted by a five‑race stretch without a podium finish.
In a feature interview with The Times published last week, Horner – who previously led Red Bull for many years – said that, aside from any ownership stake he might seek, Ferrari would be the only team he could imagine returning to the pit wall for. His remarks sparked a wave of speculation, prompting Vasseur to address the issue after Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Ferrari’s drivers finished fourth and sixth. When asked whether the external chatter was affecting the team’s performance, Vasseur admitted that the situation was "frustrating". "We are not working in perfect serenity," he said.
"For me, and for everyone in the team, the media, the endless questions – it’s a bit of a frustrating situation. We are fighting for second place in the championship, and constantly hearing this noise is not the best discussion we can have in the garage. But it is what it is, and it’s not something I can control." Vasseur also referenced Horner directly, noting that the former Red Bull boss is clearly on the job market and that the speculation is widespread. "Mr Horner is looking for a job.
Everybody knows, everywhere," Vasseur said. He emphasized that his focus remains on motivating the team and keeping attention on daily improvements rather than gossip. "I just try to do my best to push the team, to ask the team to be motivated, focus on what is better today, and not to spend time with gossips.
In each interview, it will be repeated 25 times a day." Despite the media frenzy, Vasseur reaffirmed his long‑term commitment to Ferrari. He signed a multi‑year extension last year and insists there is no doubt about his dedication to returning the iconic outfit to the top of the sport for the first time since 2008.
"The sport is my life, it’s my business," the 58‑year‑old declared. "I’m trying to do my best. I have the best job in the world, and I’m here to do my job. We still have seven races left and we will push to the last corner." Lewis Hamilton, who moved from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, cited Vasseur’s presence as a key factor in his decision, recalling that they had worked together in junior categories.
After the Baku race, Sky Sports F1 asked Hamilton whether he believed Ferrari remained on a positive trajectory under Vasseur’s leadership, and Hamilton answered affirmatively. The speculation surrounding Horner is not new. Even before his dismissal from Red Bull in July 2025, Horner had been linked intermittently with the Scuderia due to his record of guiding Red Bull to eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships. Sky Sports F1 analyst Jacques Villeneuve argued that any team considering a managerial change must take Horner’s availability seriously, noting his extensive success and the positive baggage he would bring.
"Christian Horner is someone you have to take seriously and consider because he built the winning Red Bull team," Villeneuve told Sky Sports News in Baku. "He has a lot of very good and positive baggage, full of successes, so you have to take that into consideration. I wouldn’t say it’s scary for who is in place, but you need to be on your toes." Vasseur became Ferrari’s fifth team principal in nine years when he was appointed for the 2023 season, making the current year his fourth at the helm.
Villeneuve added that Ferrari is a notoriously demanding environment, where frequent changes are common when results do not meet expectations. "Ferrari is not an easy place to be.
We have seen so many changes – two or three years, next one, because the results don’t come. So you are always on an ejectable seat and you have to be careful." Looking ahead, Formula 1 will travel to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, with the Bahrain Grand Prix taking place at the Sepang International Circuit. Fans can watch live coverage on Sky Sports F1, and streaming is available through NOW without a long‑term contract. The upcoming races will be crucial for Ferrari as they aim to close the gap to Mercedes and reclaim their historic dominance, while Vasseur continues to navigate the external pressures and maintain focus on performance on and off the track.