Ferrari have once again affirmed their unwavering support for Frederic Vasseur as team principal, dismissing any speculation about his future that was sparked by comments from Christian Horner. The Italian racing powerhouse made it clear that it has "made its choices" regarding the leadership of its Formula One operation, and that Vasseur remains at the helm. After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last Saturday, Vasseur admitted that the team was not "working in perfect serenity" because of the relentless and "frustrating" rumours surrounding his position at the Scuderia. Those rumours were amplified when Horner, in a recent interview with The Times, said that Ferrari was the only team he would consider returning to as a race‑engineer without taking an ownership stake, a role he has been eyeing for a potential comeback to the sport.
In an unusual move, Ferrari called a hastily organised media briefing on Tuesday morning, just before the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, to put the matter to rest. A Ferrari spokesperson stated unequivocally that the company retains full confidence in Vasseur and his staff to continue steering the F1 programme. "Ferrari's position is clear and unchanged," the spokesperson said. "Ferrari has made its choices and has full confidence in the leadership of Fred Vasseur and his team, and we will continue to do so." The spokesperson added that the Scuderia has always attracted interest because of its iconic status, but the statement was intended to curb gossip and speculation ahead of the Malaysian weekend.
"We say this today because we want to avoid gossip and speculation in Malaysia and focus on the weekend," she explained. The clarification was aimed not only at the Horner interview but also at a series of follow‑up stories that have kept the rumor mill turning.
Vasseur, now in his fourth season after moving from Sauber at the start of 2023, signed a multi‑year extension last year, cementing his long‑term commitment to the team. When asked whether Vasseur still enjoys the full backing of Ferrari chairman John Elkann and chief executive Benedetto Vigna, and whether he will remain in his role for the remainder of his contract, the spokesperson reiterated the same message: "Ferrari's position is clear and unchanged. Ferrari has made its choices, it has confidence in Fred Vasseur and we continue to do so." The context for this reaffirmation is the dramatic turnaround Ferrari has achieved this season.
After a disappointing 2025 campaign in which the team failed to win a single race and fell to fourth place in the Constructors' Championship, Vasseur has guided the Scuderia back to winning form, securing two victories so far and sitting second in the championship standings. However, the challenge for the World Championship title against Mercedes has waned in recent weeks. Ferrari have not reached the podium in the last five races, and their lead over the German outfit has narrowed considerably.
In the Drivers' Championship, Lewis Hamilton currently occupies third place behind Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Hamilton's title hopes were effectively extinguished after the Italian Grand Prix in September, where he finished sixth.
In Baku, Charles Leclerc finished fourth while Hamilton came home sixth, leaving Ferrari 160 points adrift of the championship leaders. Nevertheless, a misstep by third‑placed McLaren, which failed to score any points, allowed Ferrari to extend their advantage over the reigning champions to 72 points. With eight races remaining on the calendar, Ferrari are focused on preserving their current positions.
Hamilton has stressed that a top‑three finish in the Drivers' Championship would still be a "huge achievement" given the difficulties the team faced last season. The upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix marks Formula 1's return to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, with the race taking place at the Sepang International Circuit.
Fans can watch live coverage on Sky Sports F1, and the event will also be streamed via NOW, offering a flexible, contract‑free viewing option. Overall, Ferrari's decisive statement underscores the team's determination to keep the leadership stable and to silence any external chatter that could distract from on‑track performance. By reaffirming their faith in Vasseur, the Scuderia aims to maintain momentum, capitalize on the two wins already secured this year, and finish the season strongly, whether that means fighting for the Constructors' title or solidifying a respectable podium finish for both drivers.