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 comments describing a role at Ferrari as his "dream" job. Vasseur, who stepped into the Ferrari team principal seat from Sauber in 2023, has overseen a resurgence that saw the Scuderia return to the podium this season after a disappointing 2025 campaign.
However, the early‑season challenge to Mercedes for the championship has faded in recent weeks, with the team now enduring a five‑race stretch without a single podium finish. In a feature interview with The Times published last week, former Red Bull boss Christian Horner revealed that Ferrari would be the only outfit he would contemplate joining as a team principal, even though he is currently more interested in securing an ownership stake rather than simply returning to the pit wall. Horner’s remarks added fuel to the fire, prompting the media to speculate about a possible future move. Following Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Ferrari’s drivers finished fourth and sixth, Vasseur was asked whether the external chatter was affecting the team’s concentration.
He admitted that the constant speculation was irritating and that it was not conducive to a focused working environment. "We are not working in perfect serenity," Vasseur said.
"For me, and for everyone in the team, the media and the endless questions are a bit frustrating. We are fighting for second place in the championship, and the constant discussion about my future is not the most productive conversation we can have in the garage. But that’s the reality, and it’s out of my control." When pressed about Horner’s remarks, Vasseur responded bluntly: "Mr Horner is looking for a job.
Everybody knows it, everywhere. What can I do? I simply try to push the team, keep the staff motivated, focus on today’s performance, and avoid gossip.
In every interview I’m asked about it dozens of times a day." He emphasized that his priority remains extracting the maximum from the car and the personnel, rather than engaging in media speculation. Vasseur signed a multi‑year extension to his contract last year, underscoring his long‑term commitment to steering Ferrari back to the pinnacle of Formula 1, a feat the team 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." Former seven‑time champion Lewis Hamilton, who moved to Ferrari from Mercedes in 2025, credited Vasseur’s presence as a key factor in his decision. After the Baku race, Hamilton answered a Sky Sports F1 query affirmatively, confirming that 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 to Ferrari, given his record of guiding Red Bull to eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles. Sky Sports F1 analyst and 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve noted that any team considering a managerial change must take Horner’s availability seriously. "Christian Horner is someone you have to consider seriously because he built the winning Red Bull team," Villeneuve told Sky Sports News in Baku.
"He brings a wealth of success and positive experience, so you have to weigh that heavily." Villeneuve also warned that Ferrari’s environment is notoriously demanding. "Ferrari is not an easy place to be. We have seen so many changes—two or three years, then the next—because results don’t always come. You’re always on an ejectable seat and you have to be careful." Vasseur became Ferrari’s fifth team principal in nine years when he took the helm at the start of the 2023 season, and the current year marks his fourth campaign in charge.
Despite the pressure, he remains resolute, insisting that the team’s focus should stay on improving the car, extracting performance, and delivering results on the track. Looking ahead, the Formula 1 calendar will take the sport to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, with the Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled at the Sepang International Circuit. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1, and the broadcast is also available through NOW’s streaming service, offering a contract‑free, cancel‑anytime option.
Vasseur’s message to his team and supporters is clear: the noise outside the garage walls will not deter Ferrari’s pursuit of excellence, and the Scuderia will continue to push forward until the final checkered flag.