Frederic Vasseur openly acknowledged that Ferrari cannot operate in a state of complete calm while speculation about his own future continues to swirl, especially after Christian Horner’s remarks about the coveted "dream" role in Formula 1. Vasseur, who arrived at Scuderia Ferrari from Sauber in 2023, has overseen a resurgence that saw the team climb back onto the podium after a dismal 2025 season. Yet the challenge for the championship has faded recently, as Ferrari endured a five‑race stretch without a top‑three finish. In a recent interview with The Times, former Red Bull boss Christian Horner declared that Ferrari was the only outfit he would consider returning to the pit wall for, even though he has been focusing on securing an ownership stake for any potential comeback.
Horner’s comments added fuel to the fire, prompting the media to wonder whether his words were a subtle hint at a job hunt. Following Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Ferrari’s drivers finished fourth and sixth, Vasseur was asked whether the surrounding noise was affecting the team’s performance.
He admitted the situation was frustrating, noting that the constant chatter was a distraction for everyone involved. "We are not working in perfect serenity," Vasseur said. "For me, and for everyone in the team, for the media, for the 50 percent of the questions about this – it’s a bit of a frustrating situation.
We are fighting for P2 in the championship. At the end of the day, we are all talking about it, and even the guys in the garage are discussing it. It’s not the best conversation we could be having, but it is what it is – it’s not in my hands." Referencing Horner, Vasseur added with a hint of sarcasm: "Mr Horner is looking for a job. Everybody knows, everywhere.
What can I do? I just try to do my best to push the team, to keep the crew motivated, focus on what we can improve today, and not waste time on gossip. In each interview, it will be repeated 25 times a day." Vasseur’s commitment to Ferrari remains solid.
He signed a multi‑year extension last year and repeatedly affirmed that there is no doubt about his dedication to restoring the Scuderia to its former glory, aiming for a world title for the first time since 2008. "The sport is my life, it’s my business," the 58‑year‑old explained. "I’m trying to do my best. I’m definitely here to do my job.
I have the best job in the world. We still have seven races left and we will fight until the final corner." Lewis Hamilton, who switched from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, credited his prior relationship with Vasseur in junior categories as a key factor in his decision. After the Baku race, Sky Sports F1 asked Hamilton whether the team was still on a positive trajectory under Vasseur’s leadership, and the seven‑time champion answered affirmatively. Even before his dismissal from Red Bull in July 2025, Horner had been sporadically linked with Ferrari, given his record of guiding the Red Bull team to eight drivers’ and six constructors’ championships.
Sky Sports F1 analyst Jacques Villeneuve emphasized that any team considering a managerial change must take Horner’s availability seriously. "Christian Horner is someone you have to take seriously because he built the winning Red Bull team," the 1997 world champion told Sky Sports News in Baku. "He brings a lot of positive baggage, a history of success, so you have to factor that in. I wouldn’t say it’s scary for those already in place, but you need to stay on your toes." Vasseur became Ferrari’s fifth team principal in nine years when he took the helm at the start of the 2023 season, making the current campaign his fourth year in charge.
Villeneuve noted the volatility of the role: "Ferrari is not an easy place to be. We have seen so many changes – two or three years, then the next one, because the results don’t always come. You’re always on an ejectable seat and you have to be careful." The broader Formula 1 calendar also adds pressure. The sport is set to return to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, with the Bahrain Grand Prix moving to the Sepang International Circuit.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1, and the streaming service NOW offers flexible access without a long‑term contract. In summary, Vasseur acknowledges the external distractions but remains focused on extracting the maximum performance from Ferrari. While Horner’s comments have sparked fresh rumors about a potential job move, Vasseur insists his priority is the team’s progress, steering the Scuderia toward the remaining races with determination and a clear eye on the championship standings.