Ferrari has once again voiced its "full confidence" in team principal Frederic Vasseur, pushing back against speculation about his future that was sparked by comments from Christian Horner. The Italian racing powerhouse made it clear that it has "made its choices" regarding the leadership of its Formula 1 operation and will continue to back Vasseur.
Vasseur himself acknowledged after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last Saturday that the team was not operating in "perfect serenity" due to the relentless and "frustrating" rumours surrounding his role at the Scuderia. Those rumors were amplified last week when The Times published an interview with former Red Bull boss Christian Horner. In that interview Horner said that, aside from the ownership stake he is currently pursuing for a possible return to the sport, Ferrari was the only team he would consider joining as a team principal again. In an unusual, hastily‑arranged media briefing on Tuesday morning – just ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia – a Ferrari spokesperson reiterated the company's unwavering support for Vasseur.
"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 statement was intended to counter not only the piece featuring Horner in The Times but also a series of follow‑up stories that have kept the speculation alive. "Ferrari has always attracted interest; it is a reflection of what Ferrari represents.
We are saying this today because we want to avoid gossip and speculation in Malaysia and focus on the weekend," the spokeswoman explained. Vasseur is now entering his fourth season at the helm of the Scuderia, having moved to Ferrari from Sauber at the start of 2023.
He signed a multi‑year contract extension last year, cementing his long‑term relationship with the team. When asked whether he still enjoys the full backing of Ferrari chairman John Elkann and chief executive Benedetto Vigna, and whether he will remain in his post for the duration of his contract, the spokesperson 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." The context for this reaffirmation is the dramatic turnaround Ferrari has experienced this season. After a disappointing 2025 campaign in which the team failed to win a race and fell to fourth place in the Constructors' Championship, Vasseur has guided the squad back to winning form, securing two victories so far and sitting second in the championship standings. However, the challenge to Mercedes for the world title has waned in recent weeks, and Ferrari has not reached the podium in the last five races. In the Drivers' Championship, Lewis Hamilton sits third behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, his title hopes all but extinguished after a sixth‑place finish at the Italian Grand Prix in September.
At the recent Baku race, Charles Leclerc finished fourth while Hamilton came home sixth, leaving Ferrari 160 points behind the championship‑leading Mercedes. Nevertheless, a poor showing from third‑placed McLaren – which failed to score any points – allowed Ferrari to extend its lead over the reigning champions to 72 points.
With eight races remaining on the calendar, Ferrari is aiming to preserve its current standing in both the Constructors' and Drivers' championships. Hamilton has emphasized that a top‑three finish in the drivers' standings would still be a "huge achievement" for the team, given the difficulties they encountered last season.
The upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix marks Formula 1's return to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, with the race taking place at the Sepang International Circuit. Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports F1 or stream it via NOW, with the flexibility of cancel‑anytime contracts. Ferrari's clear message ahead of the weekend is that it will not be swayed by external speculation; the team remains fully committed to Vasseur's leadership as it strives to finish the season strongly and, if possible, reclaim its place at the very top of the sport.