Frederic Vasseur has openly acknowledged that Ferrari cannot operate in a state of complete calm while rumours about his own future continue to swirl, especially after former Red Bull boss Christian Horner recently described a role at Ferrari as the ultimate "dream" job in Formula 1. Vasseur, who took over the Scuderia from Sauber in 2023, has overseen a resurgence that saw the team return to the top step of the podium this season after a disappointing 2025 campaign. However, the challenge for the world championship against Mercedes has dwindled in recent weeks, highlighted by a five‑race stretch without a single podium finish. In a recent interview with The Times, Horner – who left Red Bull at the end of 2025 – said that if he ever decided to step back onto a pit‑wall, Ferrari would be the only outfit he would consider, even though he is currently focused on securing an ownership stake rather than a traditional managerial role.
The comment added fuel to the fire, prompting Vasseur to comment after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where his drivers finished fourth and sixth, that the constant external chatter was indeed frustrating. "We are not working in perfect serenity," Vasseur told reporters. "For me, and for everyone in the team, the media, the endless stream of questions – it’s a bit of a frustrating situation. We are fighting for second place in the championship, and yet the conversation keeps drifting away from the performance on track to speculation about my job.
Even the crew in the garage are discussing it, and that’s not the most constructive dialogue we could be having. But that’s the reality, and it’s not something I can control." He went on to address Horner directly, noting that the former Red Bull chief is apparently “looking for a job” and that this fact is common knowledge across the paddock. "What can I do?
I simply try to do my best for the team, keep the staff motivated and focused on today’s tasks, and avoid getting caught up in gossip. In every interview, the question comes up dozens of times a day," Vasseur added, underscoring how pervasive the speculation has become. Vasseur’s commitment to Ferrari was cemented last year when he signed a multi‑year extension, reaffirming his dedication to returning the prancing horse to the top of the podium for the first time since 2008.
"The sport is my life, it’s my business," the 58‑year‑old said. "I’m here to do my job, and I have the best job in the world. We still have seven races left, and we will fight until the very last corner." Lewis Hamilton, who switched from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, cited Vasseur’s presence as a key factor in his decision, recalling that the two had worked together in junior categories.
After the Baku race, Sky Sports F1 asked Hamilton whether Ferrari remained on a positive trajectory under Vasseur’s leadership, to which the seven‑time champion answered affirmatively. Even before his dismissal from Red Bull in July 2025, Horner had been periodically linked with Ferrari due to his record of guiding the team to eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships. Sky Sports analyst and former world champion Jacques Villeneuve remarked that any team considering a new principal must weigh Horner’s availability seriously. "Christian Horner is someone you have to take seriously because he built the winning Red Bull machine.
He brings a wealth of success and positive experience, so any club would have to consider that," Villeneuve told Sky Sports News in Baku. "I wouldn’t say it’s frightening for those already in place, but you definitely need to stay on your toes." Vasseur became Ferrari’s fifth team principal in nine years when he was appointed for the start of the 2023 season, making the current campaign his fourth at the helm. Villeneuve also highlighted the volatility of the role at the historic outfit: "Ferrari is not an easy place to be.
We’ve seen so many changes – two or three years, then another – because results don’t always come. You’re always on an ejectable seat and you have to be careful." The ongoing speculation surrounding Vasseur and Horner reflects the broader uncertainty that can affect a team’s performance when focus shifts from the track to the newsroom.
While Vasseur insists his priority remains extracting the maximum from the car and keeping the team united, the media narrative continues to amplify any hint of internal turmoil. As the season progresses, the Scuderia will need to balance the pressure of chasing a championship with the distractions of high‑profile rumours, a challenge that Vasseur says he is prepared to meet. Meanwhile, the Formula 1 calendar moves forward, with the series set to return to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, hosting the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. Fans can watch live coverage on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW – no long‑term contract required, cancel anytime.