Ferrari have once again publicly affirmed their unwavering confidence in Frederic Vasseur as the team principal, dispelling the swirl of speculation that has surrounded his future ever since Christian Horner hinted at an interest in the role. The Italian racing powerhouse made it clear that its decisions regarding the leadership of the Scuderia are final and that Vasseur remains fully supported in his position.
Vasseur himself acknowledged after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last Saturday that the atmosphere within the team had been far from tranquil. He described the environment as "not working in perfect serenity" because of the relentless and "frustrating" rumours that have been circulating about his tenure.
These rumors were further amplified last week when Horner, speaking to The Times, said that Ferrari was the only team he would consider returning to as a pit‑wall figure, provided he did not have to take an ownership stake – a condition he has emphasized for any potential comeback to Formula 1. In an unusual move, Ferrari organised a hastily convened media briefing on Tuesday morning, just ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. During the briefing, a Ferrari spokesperson reiterated the team's stance, stating unequivocally that the organisation has full confidence in Vasseur and his staff and will continue to back them.
"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. Ferrari has always attracted interest; it is a reflection of what Ferrari represents.
We are saying this today to curb gossip and speculation in Malaysia and keep the focus on the weekend's racing." The spokesperson added that the statement was a direct response not only to Horner's interview in The Times but also to a series of follow‑up stories that have kept the speculation alive. "We are addressing the piece with Mr. Horner and the subsequent articles that have been increasing, not dying down," they explained.
Vasseur is now entering his fourth season at the helm of the Scuderia, having taken over from Sauber at the start of 2023. He secured a multi‑year contract extension last year, which should keep him in charge for the foreseeable future. When asked whether he still enjoys the full backing of Ferrari chairman John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna, 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 single race and fell to fourth place in the Constructors' Championship, Vasseur has overseen a remarkable turnaround. This season the team has already claimed two victories and sits second in the Constructors' standings, narrowing the gap to the dominant Mercedes squad.
However, the challenge for the world championship has waned in recent weeks, with Ferrari not reaching the podium in the last five races. In the Drivers' Championship, Lewis Hamilton currently occupies third place, trailing Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Hamilton's title hopes were effectively extinguished after the Italian Grand Prix in September, where he finished sixth while driving for Ferrari.
The team’s performance at the home race highlighted the lingering difficulties that plagued them last season. In Baku, Charles Leclerc finished fourth and Hamilton sixth, leaving Ferrari 160 points adrift of the championship leaders Mercedes. Yet, because McLaren, which sits third, failed to score any points in that race, Ferrari's deficit to the title‑contenders was reduced to 72 points.
With eight races remaining, the Scuderia must aim to preserve its current standing, while Hamilton has emphasized that a top‑three finish in the drivers' championship would still be a "huge achievement" given the setbacks they endured last year. The upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix marks Formula 1's return to Malaysia for the first time since 2017, with the event set to take place at the Sepang International Circuit.
Fans can watch the live coverage on Sky Sports F1, and the race will also be streamed via NOW, offering a flexible, contract‑free viewing option. Overall, Ferrari's message is unequivocal: despite external speculation and media chatter, the organization has made its decisions and stands firmly behind Frederic Vasseur. The team aims to focus on performance on the track, seeking to convert its early‑season successes into a sustained challenge for both the Constructors' and Drivers' titles as the season progresses.