Ferrari have once again stressed their unwavering support for Frederic Vasseur as team principal, dispelling the swirling rumours about his future that were 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 1 operation and that Vasseur remains at the helm. After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last Saturday, Vasseur acknowledged that the team was not operating in "perfect serenity" due to the persistent and "frustrating" speculation surrounding his role at the Scuderia. Those doubts were amplified when Horner, in an interview with The Times, said that Ferrari was the only team he would consider returning to as a race‑engineer, even without the ownership stake he has been pursuing for a potential comeback to the sport.
In an unusual move, Ferrari arranged a rapid media briefing on Tuesday morning, just before the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, to address the issue head‑on. A spokesperson for the team emphasized that Ferrari’s stance is "clear and unchanged" and that the company continues to have "full confidence in the leadership of Fred Vasseur and his team." The statement also noted that the brand "always attracts interest" because of its iconic status, but added that the clarification was intended to "avoid gossip and speculation in Malaysia and focus on the weekend." The spokesperson explained that the briefing was a response not only to Horner’s remarks in The Times but also to a series of follow‑up stories that have kept the narrative alive. 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 relationship with the Scuderia.
When asked whether Vasseur still enjoys the full backing of Ferrari chairman John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna, 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 of these assurances is important. After a disappointing 2025 campaign in which Ferrari failed to win a single race and slipped to fourth in the Constructors' Championship, Vasseur has overseen a remarkable turnaround.
This season the team has already secured two victories and sits second in the Constructors' standings, narrowing the gap to the dominant Mercedes squad. However, the challenge for the world championship has softened in recent weeks, as Ferrari has not reached the podium in the last five races.
In the Drivers' Championship, Lewis Hamilton currently occupies third place, trailing Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Hamilton’s title hopes were effectively dashed after the Italian Grand Prix, where he finished sixth and Ferrari’s home race ended without a win. In Baku, Charles Leclerc finished fourth while Hamilton came home sixth, leaving the team 160 points behind championship leaders Mercedes.
Yet, a misstep by third‑placed McLaren—who failed to score any points—allowed Ferrari to extend its lead over the reigning champions to 72 points. Looking ahead, Ferrari has eight races remaining to either consolidate or improve its championship position.
Hamilton has insisted that a top‑three finish in the Drivers' standings would still be a "huge achievement" for the team, given the difficulties they faced last season. The upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, the first Formula 1 event in Malaysia since 2017, will take place at the Sepang International Circuit and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available via NOW. The broader narrative underscores Ferrari’s desire to keep the focus on performance rather than off‑track speculation. By publicly reaffirming its confidence in Vasseur, the team aims to silence rumours and maintain stability within the organization.
This stability is crucial as Ferrari seeks to capitalize on its recent resurgence, convert strong qualifying performances into race wins, and re‑establish itself as a genuine contender for both the Constructors' and Drivers' titles. In summary, despite external chatter and the occasional media frenzy, Ferrari’s leadership remains steadfast. The Scuderia has chosen to back Vasseur unequivocally, signaling to rivals, fans, and the press that the team’s strategic direction will not be altered by speculation. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how the Italian marque translates its renewed confidence into on‑track success, especially as the competition intensifies in the final stretch of the championship.