Ferrari have once again voiced their unwavering support for team principal Frédéric Vasseur, dismissing the swirling speculation about his future that was sparked by former Red Bull boss Christian Horner. The Italian racing powerhouse made it clear that its decisions regarding the leadership of the Scuderia are settled and that Vasseur remains at the helm.
Vasseur himself acknowledged after last Saturday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix that the team was not operating in a state of "perfect serenity". He cited the persistent and "frustrating" rumours surrounding his position as a source of distraction for the crew.
These whispers grew louder after Horner, in an interview with The Times, suggested that Ferrari would be the only team he might consider returning to the pit wall for, should he ever decide to step back into a managerial role. Horner emphasized that he would only contemplate such a move if he could do so without taking an ownership stake, which he has been prioritising in any potential comeback.
In an unusual move, Ferrari organised a hastily‑arranged media briefing on Tuesday morning, just ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in Malaysia. A spokesperson for the team used the opportunity to reiterate that the company’s confidence in Vasseur is absolute and that no change in leadership is being contemplated. "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 do so." The spokesperson added that the Scuderia’s high profile inevitably attracts interest from all corners of the sport, and that this is simply a reflection of what Ferrari represents in Formula 1. "We are making this statement today to curb gossip and speculation in Malaysia and to keep the focus on the upcoming race weekend," they explained. The comment was intended to address not only Horner’s remarks in The Times but also a wave of subsequent stories that have continued to surface, each adding fuel to the rumor mill.
Vasseur is now entering his fourth season as Ferrari’s team principal, having joined the team from Sauber at the start of 2023. He secured a multi‑year contract extension last year, which should keep him in charge for the foreseeable future.
When asked whether Vasseur still enjoys the full backing of Ferrari chairman John Elkann and chief executive 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 important. After a disappointing 2025 campaign in which Ferrari failed to win a single race and fell to fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, Vasseur has overseen a remarkable turnaround.
This season the team has already claimed two victories and sits second in the Constructors’ standings, narrowing the gap to the dominant Mercedes outfit. However, the challenge for the world championship has waned in recent weeks, as Ferrari has not reached the podium in the last five races. In the Drivers’ Championship, Lewis Hamilton currently occupies third place, trailing Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
Hamilton’s title aspirations were effectively dashed after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where he finished sixth and Ferrari’s own hopes of a championship surge were further diminished. The most recent race in Baku saw Charles Leclerc finish fourth and Hamilton sixth, leaving Ferrari 160 points behind the championship leaders Mercedes. Yet, a misstep by third‑placed McLaren, which failed to score any points, allowed Ferrari to extend its lead over the reigning champions to 72 points in the Constructors’ tally. Looking ahead, Ferrari has eight races remaining in the season.
The team’s primary objective is to preserve its current standing in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ championships. Hamilton has publicly stated that securing a top‑three finish in the Drivers’ championship would still be a "huge achievement" for Ferrari, given the difficulties they faced last season. The upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix will be held at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, marking the first Formula 1 event in the country since 2017.
Fans can watch the live coverage on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available through NOW, offering a flexible, contract‑free viewing experience. Overall, Ferrari’s message is unmistakable: the team stands firmly behind Frédéric Vasseur, dismisses external speculation, and remains focused on delivering strong performances for the remainder of the season.