Ferrari has once again affirmed its "full confidence" in team principal Frédéric Vasseur, quashing the swirling speculation about his future that was sparked by comments from Christian Horner. The Italian racing giant made it clear that it "has made its choices" regarding the leadership of its Formula 1 operation, leaving no room for doubt about Vasseur’s position. Vasseur himself acknowledged after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last Saturday that the team was "not working in perfect serenity" due to the persistent and "frustrating" rumors surrounding his role at the Scuderia. Those whispers were amplified when Horner, speaking to The Times, suggested that Ferrari was the only team he would consider returning to as a race‑engineer without taking an ownership stake, a condition he has been emphasizing for any potential comeback to the sport.
In an unusual move, Ferrari convened a hastily arranged media briefing on Tuesday morning, just ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, to address the growing chatter. A Ferrari spokesperson said the organization’s stance remains "clear and unchanged" and reiterated that the company has "full confidence in the leadership of Fred Vasseur and his team and we will continue to do so." The spokesperson added that interest in Ferrari is inevitable because of what the brand represents, and the statement was intended to curb gossip and keep the focus on the upcoming race weekend.
The spokesperson explained that the briefing was a response not only to Horner’s interview but also to a cascade of subsequent stories that have kept the speculation alive. Vasseur is now entering his fourth season at the helm, having taken over from Sauber at the start of 2023 and securing a multi‑year contract extension last year.
When asked whether he still enjoys 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." 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 year the team has already claimed two victories and sits second in the Constructors' standings. However, the challenge to Mercedes for the world title has waned in recent months, and Ferrari has not reached the podium in the last five races.
In the Drivers' Championship, Lewis Hamilton currently occupies third place behind Mercedes duo Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Hamilton’s title hopes have been largely extinguished after a sixth‑place finish at the Italian Grand Prix in September, a race that also highlighted Ferrari’s lingering struggles. In Baku, Charles Leclerc finished fourth while Hamilton came home sixth, leaving Ferrari 160 points behind championship leaders Mercedes.
Nevertheless, a misstep by third‑placed McLaren, which failed to score any points, allowed Ferrari to extend its gap over the reigning champions to 72 points. With eight races remaining in the season, Ferrari aims to preserve its current championship positions.
Hamilton has recently emphasized that a top‑three finish in the Drivers' standings would still be a "huge achievement" for the team, given the setbacks they endured last season. The upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix marks Formula 1's return to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, with the event set to take place at the Sepang International Circuit. Fans can watch live coverage on Sky Sports F1 or stream via NOW, with no long‑term contract required. Overall, Ferrari’s decisive statement underscores its commitment to stability and continuity at the top of its operation.
By backing Vasseur unequivocally, the Scuderia sends a clear message to rivals, media, and its own personnel that the leadership team is united and focused on delivering results. The next few races will be crucial in determining whether the team can translate that confidence into podium finishes and possibly a resurgence in the championship battle.