Ferrari reaffirms ‘full confidence’ in Fred Vasseur amid Horner speculation
Ferrari has reaffirmed its support for team principal Fred Vasseur, insisting its position is settled as speculation grows over a possible move by Christian Horner to Maranello.
Horner described Ferrari as his “dream job” in an interview with The Times last week. He said it was the only team on the grid he would consider joining as an employee rather than seeking a role in its ownership structure—a preference he has made clear since leaving Red Bull in July 2025.
Vasseur responded to the reports after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, saying he had “the best job in the world”. However, RacingNews365 reported that discussions had taken place about how a potential departure by Vasseur might be handled at the end of the current season. The latest Vasseur-Horner speculation has now prompted Ferrari to make its backing explicit.
Ferrari makes its position clear
Ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia this weekend, Ferrari hastily arranged a news conference to address the story. Chief communications officer Maria Conti said the team wanted to prevent leadership speculation from overshadowing its preparations.
“In recent days, there has been increasing speculation surrounding Ferrari and particularly dedicated to its leadership,” Conti said. “Ferrari’s position is clear, has not changed, and Ferrari has made its choices already, and we have confidence, full confidence, in Fred Vasseur and in his team.”
Conti stressed that Ferrari’s immediate priority was unity and the work ahead. She said the team did not intend to fuel assumptions originating outside the company, adding that the interest in Ferrari reflected the strength of what the team represents and the fact that many professionals aspire to join it.
Focus turns back to the race
The communications chief said Ferrari wanted the upcoming weekend to be about performance, the team and its leadership—not “gossip and speculation”. She also invoked the team’s stated focus on the future, describing humility and concentration on what lies ahead as part of Ferrari’s spirit.
Asked why CEO John Elkann and CEO Bernadetto Vigna had not publicly backed Vasseur, Conti said both had confidence in the team principal. Ferrari had “made its choices”, she added, in favour of Vasseur.
The intervention delivers a direct public endorsement of Vasseur, while Ferrari’s message is that the leadership question is not open for debate inside the team. Its stated aim is to keep attention on the work and the race ahead.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.