Frederic Vasseur 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 describing a role at Ferrari as the "dream" job in Formula 1. Vasseur, who took over as team principal at Scuderia Ferrari in 2023 after a stint at Sauber, has overseen a revival that saw the team climb back onto the podium this season following a disappointing 2025 campaign. However, the challenge for the world championship against Mercedes has faded in recent weeks, with Ferrari now enduring a five‑race stretch without a single podium finish.
In a interview with The Times that was published last week, former Red Bull boss Christian Horner said that, were he to return to the sport in a non‑ownership capacity, Ferrari would be the only team he would consider joining. Horner’s comment sparked a fresh wave of speculation about Vasseur’s own job security, a narrative that the Frenchman found increasingly frustrating. After Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix – where Ferrari’s drivers finished fourth and sixth – Vasseur was asked whether the surrounding media noise was affecting the team’s performance. He admitted that the constant chatter was a source of irritation.
"We are not working in perfect serenity," he said. "For me, and for everyone in the team, for the media, for the fifty per cent of the questions about this, it is a bit of a frustrating situation.
We are fighting for second place in the championship, and at the end of the day we are all talking about it. Even the guys in the garage are discussing it, and that is not the most productive conversation we could be having. But it is what it is – it’s not in my hands." Vasseur then turned his attention to Horner, adding a blunt observation: "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 keep the squad motivated, to focus on what we can improve today, and not waste time on gossip. In every interview it comes up twenty‑five times a day." Despite the swirling rumors, Vasseur signed a multi‑year contract extension last year, reaffirming his commitment to steering Ferrari back to the pinnacle of the sport – a goal that has not been achieved 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 here to do my job, and I have the best job in the world. We still have seven races left and we will push to the very last corner." Lewis Hamilton, who moved from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, credited his decision in part to Vasseur’s presence, recalling that they had worked together in junior categories. After the Baku race, Sky Sports F1 asked Hamilton whether the team was still on a positive trajectory under Vasseur’s leadership. Hamilton answered affirmatively, reinforcing the notion that Vasseur’s guidance remains a cornerstone of Ferrari’s current direction.
Even before his dismissal from Red Bull in July 2025, Horner had been periodically linked with Ferrari due to his record of guiding the British team to eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships. Sky Sports F1 analyst Jacques Villeneuve noted that any team considering a new principal must weigh Horner’s availability seriously. "Christian Horner is someone you have to take seriously because he built the winning Red Bull team," the 1997 world champion said.
"He carries a lot of positive baggage, full of successes, so you have to consider that. I wouldn’t say it’s scary for those currently in place, but you need to stay on your toes." Vasseur became Ferrari’s fifth team principal in nine years when he was appointed at the start of the 2023 season, marking his fourth year at the helm this campaign. Villeneuve added that working at Ferrari is notoriously demanding: "Ferrari is not an easy place to be.
We have seen so many changes – two or three years, the next one – because results don’t always come. You are always on an ejectable seat and you have to be careful." The broader context of the sport also adds pressure. Formula 1 is heading back to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, with the Bahrain Grand Prix set to take place at the historic Sepang International Circuit. The race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, and fans can stream the coverage via NOW without a long‑term contract.
This return to a classic venue underscores the ever‑evolving calendar and the constant need for teams like Ferrari to adapt quickly. In summary, Vasseur’s candid remarks illustrate the difficulty of maintaining focus amid relentless speculation.
While Horner’s comments have reignited talk of a potential job change, Vasseur remains steadfast, emphasizing his dedication to the Scuderia and his determination to extract the maximum performance from the car and the personnel. The next seven races will be crucial for Ferrari’s championship aspirations, and Vasseur’s leadership will be tested as the team strives to reclaim its former glory while navigating the inevitable media turbulence that comes with being at the pinnacle of motorsport.