Ferrari F1 Boss Fred Vasseur Blasts Italian Media Over Exit Rumors

Fred Vasseur, the team principal at Ferrari Formula 1, has responded strongly to recent rumors published in major Italian newspapers, including Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera, that questioned his future with the team.

Speaking in Montreal before the Canadian Grand Prix, Vasseur called the repeated questioning over changes in key personnel “very harsh” and said the stories were unfair to the employees behind Ferrari’s ongoing campaign. He stressed that while he is able to manage personal criticism, the speculation about other members of his team is damaging and causes unnecessary anxiety for them and their families.

The rumors centered not just on Vasseur himself but also on the impact of engineer Loïc Serra, who moved from Mercedes to Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season. Last year, similar doubts were raised about other staff such as chief of aero Diego Tondi, and this trend has continued with additional names being linked to staff changes.

As Ferrari continues to chase the F1 title, these distractions threaten the team’s morale. Vasseur pointed out that every single detail matters when fighting for a championship and said the focus gets lost quickly when rumors dominate the conversation, especially at critical moments like a race weekend.

Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc stood by their team boss, pushing back on talk of instability within Maranello. Hamilton, new to Ferrari this season and a seven-time world champion, said he trusts Vasseur’s leadership and believes he is the right person to bring Ferrari success. Hamilton’s adaptation issues at Ferrari have been well documented, including his challenges in Monaco, as highlighted in recent coverage.

Leclerc added that he, Hamilton, and Vasseur share a vision for returning Ferrari to winning form and that sticking to the plan is key. Ferrari enters this weekend second in the constructors’ standings, with 197 points behind leaders McLaren after nine rounds and recent podium finishes in Monaco and Spain thanks to Leclerc.

Vasseur said that while he will have conversations with his team to offer assurance, the ongoing speculation does real harm. He explained that when the media mention names for potential roles, someone already in that position is left worrying about job security.

This ongoing uncertainty is disruptive to a team environment, especially when hundreds of hard-working people are contributing each week and making sacrifices to keep Ferrari competitive on the grid.

The start of this season has been disappointing for Ferrari, highlighted by Hamilton’s win in the Shanghai sprint but followed by both drivers being disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix for technical violations. Hamilton’s move from Mercedes has not been smooth, as adjustment to new race engineer Riccardo Adami and life at Maranello has led to frustration, evidenced by tense radio exchanges.

Vasseur’s own position is challenging, given the political nature at Ferrari and the influence of the Italian press. His predecessor, Mattia Binotto, still has supporters within the company, and Vasseur’s non-Italian background adds to the adjustment process.

Vasseur finished by saying he will continue to communicate with the staff at Maranello to assure them of their importance and remind everyone that respect and stability are essential for Ferrari’s future. Even with the continued glare of Italian media and public debate about his future, Vasseur remains determined to keep the team united, focused, and chasing championship success. Ferrari’s recent technical developments, such as changes implemented during the Spanish GP, also play a critical role in their strategy moving forward.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.