Ferrari Give Frederic Vasseur ‘Full Confidence’ After Christian Horner Speculation

Ferrari move to shut down Vasseur speculation

Ferrari have issued an unusually direct public statement backing Frederic Vasseur, declaring their “full confidence” in the team principal after renewed speculation about his position was fuelled by comments from former Red Bull chief Christian Horner.

A Ferrari spokeswoman used a hastily arranged media briefing ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia to make clear that Vasseur retains the company’s support.

“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’s a reflection of what Ferrari represents. We say this today because we want to avoid gossip and speculation in Malaysia and focus on the weekend.”

Horner comments intensified rumours

The statement followed an interview with Horner published in The Times, in which he said Ferrari was the only Formula 1 team he would consider returning to without the ownership stake he has prioritised for any comeback.

That intervention added to persistent rumours around Vasseur’s future. After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Vasseur acknowledged that Ferrari were “not working in perfect serenity” amid what he described as frustrating speculation about his position.

The Ferrari spokesperson said the team’s response was prompted not only by Horner’s comments but also by “subsequent stories that have been increasing, not dying down”.

Vasseur remains in his fourth season

Vasseur joined Ferrari from Sauber at the start of 2023 and is now in his fourth season leading the Scuderia. He signed a multi-year contract extension last year.

When asked whether Vasseur continued to have the full support of Ferrari chairman John Elkann and chief executive Benedetto Vigna, and whether he would remain in place for the rest of his contract, the spokeswoman repeated the team’s position.

“Ferrari’s position is clear and unchanged,” she said. “Ferrari has made its choices, it has confidence in Fred Vasseur and we continue to do so.”

Ferrari will now attempt to put the speculation aside and concentrate on the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit, as Formula 1 returns to Malaysia for the first time since 2017.