Frederic Vasseur openly acknowledged that Ferrari cannot operate in a state of complete calm while rumours about his own future continue to swirl, especially after Christian Horner’s recent comments describing a role at Ferrari as the ultimate "dream job" in Formula 1. Vasseur, who stepped into the Ferrari team‑principal chair in 2023 after a successful spell at Sauber, has overseen a modest resurgence this season, guiding the Scuderia back to the podium after a difficult 2025 campaign.
However, the team’s challenge for the world championship against Mercedes has dwindled in recent weeks, highlighted by a five‑race stretch without a single podium finish. In a feature interview with The Times, Horner – who left Red Bull at the end of 2025 – said that, if he ever returned to the sport in a managerial capacity, Ferrari would be the only outfit he would consider joining, even though he is currently focused on securing an ownership stake rather than a traditional team‑principal role.
This statement added fuel to the already intense media chatter surrounding Vasseur and his staff. Following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Ferrari’s drivers finished fourth and sixth, reporters asked Vasseur whether the external noise was affecting the team’s performance. He admitted that the constant speculation was frustrating for everyone involved.
"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 the constant talk about the speculation distracts us from the work we need to do. Even in the garage, the conversation isn’t the most productive one we could be having.
But that’s the reality, and it’s not something I can control." Vasseur then turned his attention to Horner’s remarks, noting, "Mr. Horner is looking for a job. Everybody knows it, everywhere.
What can I do? I just try to do my best to push the team, keep the staff motivated, focus on what we can improve today, and not waste time on gossip. In each interview, the question comes up about twenty‑five times a day." Despite the swirling rumours, Vasseur reaffirmed his commitment to Ferrari, pointing out that he signed a multi‑year extension last year and remains fully dedicated 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 I’m here to do it. We still have seven races left, and we’ll fight for every corner until the end." Lewis Hamilton, who moved from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, credited his decision in part to his previous working relationship with Vasseur in junior categories.
After the Baku race, Sky Sports F1 asked Hamilton if he believed the team was on a positive trajectory under Vasseur’s leadership, to which the seven‑time champion replied affirmatively, reinforcing the notion that the Scuderia’s direction remains sound. Horner’s own history with Ferrari stretches back years, even before his dismissal from Red Bull in July 2025. Over the decades, his success at Red Bull – eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles – has kept his name linked with the Italian giant on numerous occasions.
Sky Sports analyst and former world champion Jacques Villeneuve emphasized that any team considering a managerial vacancy must treat Horner’s availability seriously. "Christian Horner is someone you have to take seriously because he built the winning Red Bull team," Villeneuve told Sky Sports News in Baku.
"He brings a wealth of positive experience and success, so any club would have to weigh that heavily." Villeneuve also warned that while the prospect of hiring Horner isn’t necessarily frightening for those already in place, it does mean teams must stay vigilant. "I wouldn’t say it’s scary for those currently in charge, but you need to be on your toes," he added. Vasseur’s tenure at Ferrari marks him as the fifth team principal to lead the Scuderia in nine years, a testament to the club’s recent instability.
Since his arrival at the start of the 2023 season, he has now completed four campaigns at the helm. Villeneuve noted, "Ferrari is not an easy place to be. We have seen so many changes – two or three years, maybe the next one – because the results don’t always come.
You’re 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 set to take place at the Sepang International Circuit. Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through NOW without a long‑term contract. The upcoming races will be crucial for Ferrari as they attempt to climb back up the standings, and Vasseur’s ability to shield his team from external distractions will be tested further. The narrative surrounding Horner’s job hunt adds an extra layer of intrigue, but Vasseur remains focused on delivering performance on the track, aiming to restore Ferrari’s reputation as a championship‑winning force.