Ferrari have once again affirmed their "full confidence" in team principal Frédéric Vasseur, dismissing the swirling speculation about his future that was sparked by former Red Bull boss Christian Horner hinting at an interest in the role. The Italian racing giant made it clear that it "has made its choices" regarding the leadership of its Formula 1 operation and will continue to support Vasseur. Vasseur himself acknowledged after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last Saturday that the team was not operating "in perfect serenity" due to the persistent and "frustrating" rumours surrounding his position at the Scuderia. Those whispers intensified last week when Horner, in an interview published by The Times, said that Ferrari would be the only team he might consider returning to the pit‑wall for – and that he would do so without the ownership stake he has been seeking for a potential comeback to the sport.
In a somewhat unusual move, Ferrari organised a hastily‑arranged media briefing on Tuesday morning, just before the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, to address the growing chatter. A Ferrari spokeswoman stated unequivocally that the company retains complete confidence in Vasseur and his staff to run 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 do so." She added that the team's high profile inevitably attracts attention, but the statement was intended to "avoid gossip and speculation in Malaysia and focus on the weekend". The spokesperson explained that the briefing was a response not only to Horner's comments in The Times but also to a series of subsequent stories that have kept the speculation alive rather than allowing it to die down. Vasseur is now entering his fourth season at the helm of the Scuderia, having arrived from Sauber at the start of 2023. He secured a multi‑year contract extension last year, underscoring the long‑term relationship between him and the Ferrari hierarchy.
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 spokeswoman 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 season in which Ferrari failed to win a single race and fell to fourth place in the Constructors' Championship, Vasseur has overseen a remarkable turnaround. This year the team has already claimed two victories and sits second in the Constructors' standings. However, the challenge for the world championship title against Mercedes has waned in recent months, and Ferrari has 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 all but extinguished after the Italian Grand Prix in September, where he finished sixth, a result that highlighted the difficulties Ferrari faced at their home race. At the Baku race, Charles Leclerc finished fourth while Hamilton came home sixth, leaving Ferrari 160 points adrift of championship leaders Mercedes. Yet, a misfortune for third‑placed McLaren – which failed to score any points – allowed Ferrari to extend its lead over the reigning champions to 72 points, illustrating the volatile nature of the points battle.
With eight races remaining on the calendar, Ferrari's primary objective is to preserve its current championship positions. Hamilton has publicly stated that securing a top‑three finish in the Drivers' standings would still be a "huge achievement" for the team, given the setbacks they endured last season. The upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix will be held at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, marking Formula 1's return to the country for the first time since 2017. Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through NOW – a service that offers a flexible, cancel‑anytime contract.
Overall, Ferrari's message is unmistakable: despite external speculation and media buzz, the team remains steadfast in its support for Frédéric Vasseur. The Scuderia believes that continuity at the top will help them capitalize on the progress made this season and strive for the best possible finish in both the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships as the year draws to a close.