Frederic Vasseur openly acknowledged that Ferrari cannot operate in a state of complete calm while speculation about his own future continues to swirl, especially after Christian Horner’s recent remarks about the "dream" job of leading the Scuderia. Vasseur, who took over the role of team principal from Sauber at the start of the 2023 season, has overseen a revival that saw the Italian outfit return to the top step of the podium this year after a dismal 2025 campaign. However, the team’s challenge for the world championship against Mercedes has faded in recent weeks, with Ferrari enduring a five‑race stretch without a single podium finish.
In a conversation with The Times published last week, former Red Bull boss Christian Horner suggested that Ferrari was the only team he would consider returning to the pit wall for, even though he has been focusing on securing an ownership stake as part of any potential comeback to Formula 1. Horner’s comments seemed to reignite the media firestorm surrounding Vasseur and his staff. When asked after Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix – where Ferrari’s drivers finished fourth and sixth – 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, for the media, there are endless questions about my future. It’s a bit of a maddening scenario.
We are fighting for second place in the championship, but the constant discussion about my job is not the most productive conversation we could be having in the garage. Yet, it’s out of my control." Referencing Horner, Vasseur added with a hint of sarcasm: "Mr. Horner is looking for a job.
Everybody knows it, everywhere. What can I do? I simply try to push the team forward, keep the staff motivated, focus on improving today, and avoid the gossip. In every interview I’m asked about it countless times a day." Vasseur signed a multi‑year extension to his contract last year, reaffirming his dedication to steering Ferrari back to the pinnacle of the sport – a feat the team has not achieved since 2008.
"The sport is my life, it’s my business," the 58‑year‑old declared. "I’m here to do my job, and I have the best job in the world. We still have seven races left, and we will fight for every corner until the very 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 the junior categories. After the Baku race, Sky Sports F1 asked Hamilton whether Ferrari remained on a positive trajectory under Vasseur’s leadership, and the seven‑time champion replied affirmatively, reinforcing the confidence many drivers still have in the French principal.
Even before his dismissal from Red Bull in July 2025, Horner had been sporadically linked to Ferrari over the years, largely because of the success he achieved at Red Bull – eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships. Sky Sports F1 analyst and former world champion Jacques Villeneuve noted that any team considering a new principal must take Horner’s availability seriously.
"Christian Horner is someone you have to consider seriously because he built the dominant Red Bull team," Villeneuve told Sky Sports News in Baku. "He brings a wealth of positive experience and success, so his candidacy cannot be ignored." Villeneuve also warned that while the prospect of Horner returning to Ferrari might not be frightening for those already in place, it does require everyone to stay vigilant.
"I wouldn’t say it’s scary for those currently in the role, but you have 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 emphasized the volatility of the job: "Ferrari is not an easy place to be. We have seen so many changes – two or three years, then the next one, because the results don’t always come.
You’re always on an ejectable seat and you have to be careful." The ongoing speculation surrounding Vasseur’s future and Horner’s potential return underscores the intense pressure that accompanies leadership at the most iconic team in motorsport. While Vasseur insists his focus remains on extracting the maximum performance from the car and keeping the team united, the media narrative continues to feed on every comment made by rival principals and former champions. As Formula 1 prepares to travel to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, the sport will also host the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit, offering fans live coverage on Sky Sports F1. Viewers can stream the action via NOW, with the flexibility of no long‑term contracts and the option to cancel at any time.