Frederic Vasseur has finally addressed the swirling rumours about his future at Ferrari. With his trademark dry wit, he hinted that the speculation is disrupting the team's focus. "We are not working in perfect serenity, if that is the question," he said after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Ferrari is practically Italy's second religion – so whenever it falls short of its lofty ambitions, speculation follows that its leaders are under threat. After showing considerable promise in the pre-season and early races following the 2026 rules reset, Ferrari has drifted into a competitive no-man's land epitomised by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finishing fourth and sixth, distant from the cars ahead. It is second in the constructors' championship, but well behind Mercedes and under threat from McLaren and Red Bull.
Hamilton's win in Barcelona remains the season's bright spot, and one that throws disappointing results at circuits where Ferrari expected to excel into even sharper relief. There have been persistent slips in execution, such as not orchestrating a tow for both cars in qualifying for the Italian GP and again in Azerbaijan, and Hamilton has repeatedly criticised the lack of discipline – though this should be viewed in the context of him wanting the team to support his fading championship ambitions.
This had inevitably brought the team's leadership under scrutiny and Vasseur has been dogged by rumours about his future, even though his contract extends to the end of 2027. These have intensified in recent days, though it's understood that claims he is being "stage managed" into retirement are not actually sourced from within Ferrari.
But where do they come from? Indubitably a source with an agenda – or, as is often the way with such things, Italian websites with few other Ferrari-based matters of moment to discuss. The latest burst of speculation coincides with an interview former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner gave to The Times to promote his new memoir. In it, he acknowledged that his desire to have equity in the business has been a prerequisite for him returning to a leading role. "I've been a hired hand. I did 21 years sitting on the pitwall. I don't need to go back to that... At this stage in my life, there's only one team for which I would accept non-participation in ownership. Would I consider Ferrari? I mean, Ferrari is the biggest brand in Formula 1. It's the dream and arguably it's the sleeping giant of Formula 1."
Asked after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix whether the constant speculation about his position was putting the team under pressure, Vasseur responded in his usual disarmingly wry fashion. "We are not working in perfect serenity, if that is the question," he said. "For me, first, but for everybody on the team, it's not the easiest situation. But we have to stay focused and do our job."
Vasseur's response was a clear message that he is not about to be distracted by outside noise. The Frenchman, who previously led Sauber and Renault, knows the pressures of Formula 1. He is determined to turn Ferrari's fortunes around and silence the critics. But with Horner openly expressing interest in the Ferrari dream, the speculation is unlikely to die down anytime soon.
For now, Vasseur's focus is on the upcoming races. Ferrari has the resources and the drivers to fight at the front, but they must execute flawlessly. As Vasseur put it, "We have to stay focused and do our job." And that job is to bring Ferrari back to winning ways.
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