Frederic Vasseur openly acknowledged that Ferrari cannot operate in a state of complete calm while rumours about his own future continue to swirl, especially after Christian Horner’s recent comments about the Scuderia being his ideal "dream" job. Vasseur, who stepped into the role of team principal at Ferrari after leaving Sauber in 2023, has overseen a revival this season, guiding the team back to winning ways following a disappointing 2025 campaign.
However, the early‑season momentum has faded, and the challenge for the championship against Mercedes has dwindled after a stretch of five races without a single podium finish. In a feature for The Times published last week, the former Red Bull boss Horner suggested that Ferrari was the only outfit he would contemplate returning to as a team principal, even though he is currently more interested in acquiring an ownership stake rather than simply taking a seat on the pit wall. The comment added fuel to the fire, prompting a wave of speculation about whether Vasseur might be on the chopping block. When asked after Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix – where Ferrari’s drivers finished fourth and sixth – if the external chatter was affecting the team’s focus, Vasseur admitted the situation was frustrating.
"We are not working in perfect serenity," he said, noting that the constant media attention and the endless stream of questions were a distraction for everyone involved. "We are fighting for P2 in the championship, and yet the conversation keeps circling back to speculation about my job. That’s not the most productive discussion we can have in the garage.
But it’s the reality we’re dealing with, and it’s beyond my control." Vasseur then turned his attention to Horner, remarking, "Mr Horner is looking for a job. Everybody knows it, everywhere. What can I do? I simply try to do my best, push the team, keep the staff motivated, and focus on improving each day.
I refuse to waste time on gossip. In every interview I’m asked about it, probably twenty‑five times a day." Despite the noise, Vasseur’s commitment to Ferrari remains unwavering. He signed a multi‑year extension last year and repeatedly stressed that there is no doubt about his dedication to steering the iconic team back to the pinnacle of the sport – a feat the Scuderia has not achieved since 2008.
"The sport is my life, it’s my business," the 58‑year‑old declared. "I’m here to do my job, and I have the best job in the world. We still have seven races left, and we’ll fight for every corner." Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari from Mercedes in 2025, cited Vasseur’s presence as a key factor in his decision to make the move.
The seven‑time world champion confirmed to Sky Sports F1 after the Baku race that he believes the team remains on a positive trajectory under Vasseur’s leadership. Even before his dismissal from Red Bull in July 2025, Horner had been periodically linked with Ferrari, given his record of guiding the Red Bull squad to eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ crowns. Sky Sports F1 analyst and former champion Jacques Villeneuve warned that any team considering Horner must weigh his extensive success and the baggage that comes with it.
"Christian Horner is someone you have to take seriously because he built the dominant Red Bull team," Villeneuve told Sky Sports News in Baku. "He brings a wealth of winning experience, so any prospective employer must consider that carefully." Villeneuve also highlighted the precarious nature of working at Ferrari.
"Ferrari is not an easy place to be. The team has seen so many changes – two or three years, maybe the next one – because results don’t always come," he explained.
"You’re always on an ejectable seat, and you have to stay on your toes." Vasseur became Ferrari’s fifth team principal in nine years when he was appointed for the 2023 season, and this year marks his fourth campaign at the helm. The pressure of leading the most famous name in motorsport is immense, and the constant scrutiny only adds to the challenge. As the Formula 1 calendar moves toward Malaysia for the first time since 2017, the sport will once again visit the Sepang International Circuit for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Fans can watch live coverage on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through NOW without a long‑term contract. The upcoming races will test whether Vasseur can keep his team focused amid the swirling rumors and deliver the results that Ferrari’s passionate fan base expects.