Ferrari has once again affirmed its "full confidence" in team principal Frédéric Vasseur, dispelling the swirling speculation about his future that was sparked by former Red Bull boss Christian Horner’s comments about a possible return to the pit wall. The Italian racing giant made it clear that its decisions regarding the leadership of the Scuderia are settled and that Vasseur remains firmly in charge. Vasseur himself acknowledged after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last Saturday that the atmosphere within the team was "far from perfect serenity" due to the relentless and "frustrating" rumours surrounding his job security.
Those whispers grew louder after Horner granted an interview to The Times in which he said Ferrari was the only team he would consider joining again, even without the ownership stake he has been pursuing as a pathway back into Formula 1. In an unusual move, Ferrari convened a hastily organised media briefing on Tuesday morning, just before the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in Malaysia, to address the matter head‑on.
A team spokesperson declared that Ferrari’s stance was "clear and unchanged" and that the marque "has made its choices" by placing its trust in Vasseur and his staff. "Ferrari has always attracted interest; it is a testament to what the brand represents," the spokesperson added.
"We are stating this now to put an end to gossip and speculation in Malaysia and to keep the focus on the race weekend." The spokesperson explained that the statement was a direct response not only to Horner’s interview but also to a series of follow‑up stories that continued to surface, keeping the rumor mill turning. Vasseur is now entering his fourth year at the helm, having taken over from Sauber at the start of the 2023 season and signing a multi‑year extension last year. When asked whether Vasseur still enjoys the backing of Ferrari chairman John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna, and whether he would remain in his role for the remainder of his contract, the team 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." After a disappointing 2025 campaign in which Ferrari failed to win a single race and dropped to fourth in the Constructors' Championship, Vasseur has overseen a remarkable turnaround.
This season the Scuderia has claimed two victories and currently sits second in the Constructors' standings, narrowing the gap to the dominant Mercedes team. However, the challenge for the world championship has lessened in recent weeks. Ferrari have not reached the podium in the last five races, and their lead over Mercedes has been eroded.
In the Drivers' Championship, Lewis Hamilton sits third behind Mercedes teammates Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, his title hopes all but extinguished after a sixth‑place finish at the Italian Grand Prix in September. In Baku, Charles Leclerc finished fourth while Hamilton came home sixth, leaving Ferrari 160 points adrift of championship leaders Mercedes. Yet a misfortune for third‑placed McLaren, which failed to score any points, allowed Ferrari to extend their advantage over the reigning champions to 72 points.
With eight races remaining on the calendar, Ferrari’s primary aim is to preserve their current positions in both the Drivers' and Constructors' championships. Hamilton has recently remarked 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 in Malaysia marks the first time the race has visited the Sepang International Circuit since 2017. Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW without a long‑term contract.
The event promises to be a crucial test for Ferrari as they aim to consolidate their resurgence under Vasseur while fending off external speculation and internal pressure. Overall, Ferrari’s message is unequivocal: the team stands behind Vasseur, trusts his leadership, and will continue to support him as they strive for race wins and championship points. The organization acknowledges the inevitable interest that surrounds its iconic name but insists that such attention should not distract from the on‑track objectives. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how the Scuderia navigates the final stretch, balances the expectations of its passionate fan base, and attempts to close the gap to Mercedes in the ultimate quest for the Formula 1 crown.