Frederic Vasseur acknowledged that Ferrari cannot operate in a state of complete calm while constant speculation about his future swirls around the team, especially after Christian Horner’s remarks about the Scuderia being the ultimate "dream" job in Formula 1. Vasseur, who stepped into the Ferrari garage as team principal in 2023 after a successful stint at Sauber, has overseen a revival this season that saw the Italian squad return to the podium after a difficult 2025. However, the challenge for the world championship against Mercedes has faded in recent weeks, as Ferrari endured a five‑race stretch without a single podium finish.
In a recent interview with The Times, former Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said that, apart from his own ownership ambitions, Ferrari would be the only team he would consider returning to the pit wall for. Horner’s comment sparked a wave of media chatter, prompting Vasseur to comment after Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Ferrari’s drivers finished fourth and sixth.
When asked whether the external noise was affecting the team, Vasseur admitted 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 all this discussion isn’t the most productive thing we could be having in the garage.
But it is what it is, and it’s not something I can control." Vasseur then turned his attention to Horner, noting, "Mr Horner is looking for a job. Everybody knows it, everywhere. What can I do?
I just try to do my best, push the team, keep everyone motivated, focus on what we can improve today, and not waste time on gossip. In every interview I’m asked about it twenty‑five times a day." Despite the distractions, Vasseur reaffirmed his commitment to Ferrari, pointing out that he signed a multi‑year extension last year and that there is no doubt about his dedication to restoring the Scuderia to its former glory. "The sport is my life, it’s my business," the 58‑year‑old said.
"I’m trying to do my best. I have the best job in the world, and we still have seven races left. We’ll fight to the very last corner." Lewis Hamilton, who moved from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, credited Vasseur’s presence as a key factor in his decision. The seven‑time champion confirmed to Sky Sports F1 after the Baku race that he believes the team is on a positive trajectory under Vasseur’s leadership.
Even before his dismissal from Red Bull in July 2025, Horner had been sporadically linked to Ferrari because of his record of guiding the British team to eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships. Sky Sports F1 analyst Jacques Villeneuve emphasized that any team considering a managerial change must take Horner’s availability seriously. "Christian Horner is someone you have to consider seriously because he built the winning Red Bull team," the 1997 world champion said. "He brings a lot of positive experience and success, so you have to factor that in.
I wouldn’t say it’s scary for those currently in place, but you do need to stay on your toes." Vasseur became Ferrari’s fifth team principal in nine years when he took the helm at the start of the 2023 season, and this is his fourth campaign in charge. Villeneuve added that Ferrari is a particularly demanding environment. "Ferrari is not an easy place to be. We’ve seen so many changes—two or three years, then the next—because results don’t always come.
You’re always on an ejectable seat and you have to be careful." The broader context of the sport adds further pressure. Formula 1 is heading back to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, with the Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled at the Sepang International Circuit. Fans can watch live coverage on Sky Sports F1, and the streaming service NOW offers flexible, contract‑free access.
Overall, Vasseur’s message is clear: while the media may continue to speculate about his future and Horner’s potential interest, the Ferrari team will remain focused on performance, consistency, and the ultimate goal of returning to the top step of the podium. The next seven races will be crucial in determining whether the Scuderia can reclaim its status as a championship‑winning powerhouse, and Vasseur appears determined to steer the team through the noise and toward success.