Frederic Vasseur has openly acknowledged that Ferrari cannot operate in a state of complete calm while rumors about his own future continue to swirl, especially after Christian Horner’s recent remarks about the coveted "dream" job in Formula 1. Vasseur, who took over the Scuderia from Sauber at the start of the 2023 season, has overseen a revival that saw the team return to the podium after a dismal 2025 campaign. 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 feature interview with The Times published last week, the former Red Bull boss Horner claimed that Ferrari would be the only team he would contemplate returning to the pit wall for, provided he did not have to acquire an ownership stake—a condition he has emphasized for any potential comeback to the sport. The comment added fuel to the fire, prompting Vasseur to address the issue after Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where his drivers finished fourth and sixth. When asked whether the external chatter surrounding him and the team was affecting performance, Vasseur admitted the situation was "frustrating" and certainly not ideal. "We are not working in perfect serenity," he said.
"For me, and for everyone in the team, for the media, for the 50 percent of the questions about this – it’s a bit of a frustrating situation. We are fighting for P2 in the championship. At the end of the day, we are all talking about it, and even the guys in the garage are discussing it.
It’s not the best conversation we can have, but it is what it is – it’s not in my hands." Vasseur then turned his attention to Horner’s own career prospects, noting, "Mr. Horner is looking for a job. Everybody knows, everywhere.
What can I do? I just try to do my best to push the team, to ask the team to stay motivated, focus on what is better today, and not waste time on gossip.
In each interview, it comes up twenty‑five times a day." Despite the noise, Vasseur reaffirmed his commitment to Ferrari, having signed a multi‑year extension last year. He emphasized that there is no doubt about his dedication to leading the sport’s most iconic team back to the top of the podium for the first time since 2008. "The sport is my life, it’s my business," the 58‑year‑old said. "I’m trying to do my best.
I’m definitely here to do my job. I have the best job in the world.
We still have seven races left, and we will push until 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 world champion confirmed to Sky Sports F1 after the Baku race that the team remains on a positive trajectory under Vasseur’s leadership. Even before his dismissal from Red Bull in July 2025, Horner had been sporadically linked with Ferrari over the years, largely because of the success he achieved at Red Bull, where he guided the team to eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Jacques Villeneuve stressed that any team considering a new principal must seriously weigh Horner’s availability. "Christian Horner is someone you have to take seriously because he built the winning Red Bull team," the 1997 world champion explained. "He brings a lot of positive baggage, full of successes, so you have to consider that. I wouldn’t say it’s scary for those already in place, but you need to stay on your toes." Vasseur’s tenure at Ferrari marks him as the fifth team principal in nine years, a testament to the high turnover that characterises the Scuderia.
Villeneuve added that Ferrari is a particularly demanding environment: "Ferrari is not an easy place to be. We have seen so many changes—two or three years, then the next one—because results don’t always come. So 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 taking place at the historic Sepang International Circuit.
Fans can watch live coverage on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through NOW – no contract required and cancellable at any time. In summary, Vasseur acknowledges the external pressure but remains focused on extracting the maximum performance from Ferrari’s cars and personnel. While Horner’s comments have reignited speculation about a possible managerial shuffle, Vasseur’s priority is clear: keep the team motivated, avoid distractions, and aim for the highest possible finish in the remaining races of the season.