F1 Rivals Laud Frederic Vasseur Amid Ferrari Uncertainty and M…read more
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari’s Team Principal and General Manager, has received resounding support from his Formula 1 counterparts despite ongoing speculation about his future with the Scuderia. The Frenchman, who took the reins from Mattia Binotto in early 2023, now finds himself at the center of scrutiny as Ferrari endures a turbulent 2025 campaign. While the Italian giants remain among the top contenders, their season has been defined more by underperformance than triumph, casting doubt over Vasseur’s long-term position.
Under Vasseur’s leadership, Ferrari enjoyed something of a resurgence in 2024. They came close to breaking their championship drought, missing out on the constructors’ title but showing signs of a robust recovery. However, the 2025 season has so far failed to build on that momentum. Even with the blockbuster signing of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari has yet to secure a full race win — their only victory came in a sprint format. Compounding the pressure, Hamilton has still not stepped onto the podium in any main race, while teammate Charles Leclerc has salvaged some pride with a few appearances in the top three.
The underwhelming start has led to criticism from Italian media and a portion of Ferrari’s passionate fanbase. With Vasseur nearing the end of his current contract, rumors have begun to swirl that Ferrari could be contemplating a leadership change. However, team bosses from rival outfits have come to Vasseur’s defense, emphasizing that such drastic decisions could be premature and counterproductive.
Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, a longtime rival and colleague, was particularly vocal in his support. “It seems to be a bit of a revolving door with teams lately,” Wolff began, reflecting on the shifting dynamics across the F1 paddock. “In Formula One, you can’t buy time, but you have to give leadership time to get on top of things.” Drawing parallels to the Jean Todt era at Ferrari, Wolff pointed out that it took Todt seven years to secure Ferrari’s first championship under his watch. “That’s how it goes. It comes in cycles,” he said. “Look at us — we’re in our third year not fighting for the championship. But no one’s questioning if I’m doing a good job or not. Leave Fred the space. Let him do his work.”
Wolff further praised Vasseur’s character and expertise, describing him as “one of the best racing managers I know.” He added, “If I wasn’t here, I would take Fred. He’s straightforward, doesn’t do politics, doesn’t lie, and knows what he’s talking about. He needs to be given trust.” Acknowledging the uniquely intense spotlight of leading Ferrari, Wolff added, “He’s managing the national team, basically. In Italy, you win — you’re Jesus. You lose — you’re a failure. That’s the passion of Italy. He needs to grow thick skin, but there’s nobody better than Fred to run this team.”
McLaren CEO Zak Brown also spoke highly of Vasseur, underscoring the long-standing respect shared between them. “I’m a Fred fan,” Brown stated simply. “I’ve known Fred for a long time. He’s very sporting and technical — a true racer. He’s involved in multiple motorsports disciplines and almost won the World Championship last year. From the outside looking in, it may not be obvious, but I think he’s done a good job.” Brown’s comments highlight the often overlooked achievements Vasseur has made, particularly in helping bring Ferrari back into contention in 2024.
Christian Horner, who was still at Red Bull at the time of his comment, echoed the sentiments of his peers, emphasizing the value of stability. “In any organization, stability is tremendously important,” said Horner, referencing his own two-decade tenure at Red Bull. “Fred is a very capable manager. He’s running what’s essentially a national team at Ferrari, and with that comes great expectation and pressure.” Horner acknowledged that Vasseur is still relatively new in the role and that building a winning culture takes time. “There are no silver bullets in F1,” he said. “It’s about creating the right processes, getting the right people and the right culture. With Ferrari, there’s that added national pressure — it’s unlike anywhere else.”
Despite the collective backing from rivals, the Italian media remains relentless. Speculation continues to mount, with some reports suggesting that negotiations for Vasseur’s extension have stalled, and others hinting at potential replacements. However, these rumors have been publicly dismissed by Vasseur himself, as well as by Ferrari drivers Hamilton and Leclerc, who have both expressed confidence in his leadership.
Internally, Ferrari is understood to be in ongoing discussions regarding Vasseur’s contract and future. However, no official announcements have been made, leaving the door open to further conjecture. Vasseur’s supporters within the paddock are urging patience, emphasizing that transformation in F1 requires time, vision, and trust — especially at a team with Ferrari’s unique challenges and legacy.
As the 2025 season enters its critical summer phase, the spotlight will remain firmly fixed on Vasseur and Ferrari. The performance on track will no doubt influence the boardroom decisions off it. But for now, one thing is clear: in a sport often divided by fierce competition, Frederic Vasseur has earned the respect and admiration of his peers — a rare unity that speaks volumes about the caliber of the man steering the Scuderia through turbulent waters.
