Ferrari have once again voiced their "complete confidence" in team principal Frederic Vasseur, brushing aside the swirl of speculation that followed Christian Horner’s comments about a possible return to the Scuderia’s pit wall. The Italian racing powerhouse made it unmistakably clear that its leadership decisions are settled and that Vasseur remains at the helm of the Formula 1 operation. Vasseur himself acknowledged after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last Saturday that the team was "not operating in perfect serenity" because of the relentless and "frustrating" chatter surrounding his future. Those rumours were amplified when Horner, in an interview with The Times, said that Ferrari was the only team he would consider joining again without taking an ownership stake – a role he has been weighing as part of any potential comeback to the sport.
In an unusual move, Ferrari convened a rapid media briefing on Tuesday morning, just before the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in Malaysia, to address the growing gossip. A spokesperson for the Scuderia emphatically reiterated that the company’s stance was unchanged and that it retained full faith in Vasseur’s leadership. "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 support them." The spokesperson added that the statement was a direct response not only to Horner's interview but also to a cascade of subsequent stories that continued to fuel speculation.
"Ferrari has always attracted interest – it is a testament to what the brand represents. We are speaking out now to curb gossip and keep the focus on the upcoming race weekend," they explained.
Vasseur is entering his fourth season at the Scuderia, having taken over from Sauber at the start of 2023. He signed a multi‑year extension last year, cementing his long‑term role within the organization. When asked whether he still enjoyed the full backing of Ferrari chairman John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna, the spokesperson repeated 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 this reaffirmation is worth noting. After a disappointing 2025 campaign in which Ferrari failed to win a single race and fell to fourth in the Constructors' Championship, Vasseur has overseen a dramatic 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 momentum has not been entirely sustained.
In the most recent five races, Ferrari has struggled to reach the podium, and their challenge for the world title has dimmed. In the Drivers' Championship, Lewis Hamilton currently occupies third place behind Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Hamilton’s title aspirations were effectively ended after the Italian Grand Prix in September, where he finished sixth while driving for Ferrari.
The most recent race in Baku saw Charles Leclerc finish fourth and Hamilton sixth, leaving Ferrari 160 points behind championship leaders Mercedes. Yet, because McLaren, currently third in the standings, failed to score any points, Ferrari’s deficit to the title‑contenders was reduced to 72 points, preserving a respectable cushion. With eight races remaining on the calendar, Ferrari aims to protect its current championship positions.
Hamilton has stressed that achieving a top‑three finish in the Drivers' Championship would still be a "huge achievement" given the setbacks the team endured last season. The upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit – the first Formula 1 event in Malaysia since 2017 – will be a crucial test of the team's resilience and Vasseur’s leadership.
In summary, Ferrari’s management has taken a decisive step to silence the rumor mill by publicly reaffirming their trust in Frederic Vasseur. The Scuderia’s recent resurgence, highlighted by race wins and a climb up the Constructors' table, underscores why the organization remains a magnet for interest from high‑profile figures like Horner.
Yet, the team’s priority is clear: stay focused on performance, keep the chatter at bay, and finish the season strong, whether that means defending their second‑place standing or pushing for a surprise challenge to Mercedes for the championship titles.