Ferrari have once again voiced their "complete confidence" in team principal Frédéric Vasseur, dispelling the swirling gossip about his future that was sparked when Christian Horner hinted at an interest in the role. The Italian racing powerhouse made it clear that it "has made its choices" regarding the leadership of its Formula 1 operation. Vasseur himself acknowledged after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last Saturday that the team was "not operating in perfect serenity" due to the constant and "frustrating" speculation surrounding his position at the Scuderia.
Those rumours were amplified last week when The Times published an interview with Horner, the former Red Bull team boss, who said Ferrari would be the only team he would consider returning to the pit wall for, provided he did not have to take an ownership stake – a condition he has been prioritising for any potential comeback to the sport. In an unusual move, Ferrari called a hastily organised media briefing on Tuesday morning, ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, to reaffirm its stance.
A Ferrari spokesperson said the organization "has full confidence" in Vasseur and his staff to continue steering the F1 programme. "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 support them." The statement went on to note that the brand "always attracts interest" – a testament to what Ferrari represents in the sport – and that the clarification was intended to "avoid gossip and speculation in Malaysia and focus on the weekend". The spokesperson added that the comment was a response not only to Horner's interview but also to the "subsequent stories that have been increasing, not dying down".
Vasseur is now entering his fourth season at the helm, having taken over from Sauber at the start of 2023 and signing a multi‑year extension last year. 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 role for the remainder 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." After a disappointing 2025 campaign in which Ferrari failed to win a race and fell to fourth place in the Constructors' Championship, Vasseur has overseen a revival. This season the team has already secured two victories and sits second in the Constructors' standings. However, the challenge to Mercedes for the world championship has waned in recent months, and Ferrari have not reached the podium in the last five races.
In the Drivers' Championship, Lewis Hamilton currently occupies third place behind Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Hamilton's title hopes were effectively dashed after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where he finished sixth, leaving him far behind the leaders.
The previous weekend in Baku saw Charles Leclerc finish fourth and Hamilton sixth, a result that left Ferrari 160 points adrift of championship leaders Mercedes. Nevertheless, third‑placed McLaren's failure to score any points allowed Ferrari to extend their advantage over the reigning champions to 72 points. With eight races remaining in the calendar, Ferrari aim to preserve their current championship positions.
Hamilton has insisted that a top‑three finish in the Drivers' standings would still be a "huge achievement" given the difficulties the team faced last season. Formula 1 returns to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, hosting the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. Fans can watch the live action on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW – no contract required, cancel anytime.
The broader context of these developments highlights the delicate balance between on‑track performance and off‑track narratives. While Ferrari's recent results demonstrate a resurgence under Vasseur's guidance, the media attention generated by high‑profile figures like Horner can create distractions that teams prefer to sideline. By issuing a clear, unified statement, Ferrari aims to shield its personnel from external pressure, allowing them to concentrate on the technical and strategic challenges that lie ahead. In summary, Ferrari has unequivocally reaffirmed its support for Frédéric Vasseur, dismissing speculation fueled by external comments.
The team remains focused on delivering results in the remaining races, hoping to consolidate its position in both the Constructors' and Drivers' championships while navigating the inevitable swirl of rumors that accompany any high‑profile sport.