Replacing Vasseur Would Be Madness at F… read more
The 2025 Austrian Grand Prix took an unexpected and chaotic turn for Ferrari, not because of on-track drama, but due to a bombshell decision that sent shockwaves through the paddock. Team principal Frédéric Vasseur abruptly departed the Red Bull Ring on race day, citing “personal reasons,” leaving many stunned. In his absence, Jerome D’Ambrosio was quickly announced as the interim team boss. While the team maintained a tight-lipped stance on whether the departure is temporary or permanent, the timing and circumstances of this exit have triggered widespread speculation — not just about the future of Vasseur, but about Ferrari’s direction as a whole.
Vasseur’s sudden absence couldn’t have come at a more delicate time. While personal issues demand and deserve empathy — and it is hoped that his situation is not grave — the context surrounding Ferrari and their performance adds an entirely new layer of complexity. The Frenchman, who replaced Mattia Binotto as team principal at the start of the 2023 season, has endured intense scrutiny, especially from the Italian media. Ferrari’s national press, notoriously passionate and equally ruthless, has increased its criticism of Vasseur with each passing race where the Scuderia fails to contend seriously for wins.
It’s important to consider that this isn’t just a routine spell of underperformance. Ferrari, the most iconic and storied team in Formula 1 history, has not delivered a title-contending car under Vasseur’s leadership. More alarmingly, the team appears to be slipping further behind their rivals just when momentum is needed most, particularly as F1 inches closer to the massive 2026 regulation overhaul. The Ferrari faithful and media, always impatient for success, are becoming louder in their calls for accountability.
The last few races have exacerbated Vasseur’s predicament. While both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have shown flashes of brilliance, Ferrari has failed to capitalize strategically and technically. Poor race execution, questionable upgrades, and growing internal tension between the drivers have painted a picture of a team not just underperforming, but unraveling. The chemistry that once seemed to bind the team together under Vasseur’s leadership is fraying, raising further questions about whether he remains the right person to guide Ferrari into a new era.
In a recent episode of the 2 Soft Compounds podcast, the situation was dissected in no uncertain terms. With co-host Rick Houghton, it was acknowledged that the knives are indeed out for Vasseur, and not just from fans or pundits, but from deep within the Italian media establishment. Jacques Villeneuve, never one to mince words, has gone public with what many insiders in Maranello are said to be whispering — that Vasseur’s days are numbered. According to the highly respected Leo Turrini, the sentiment inside Ferrari’s boardroom is clear: the time has come to either back Fred with full commitment or move on without him.
But here lies the paradox. To remove Vasseur now, in the middle of a critical development phase ahead of 2026, would be pure madness. Formula 1 rewards stability, vision, and long-term planning — all of which are jeopardized if leadership is constantly in flux. Ferrari have already made this mistake too often in the past two decades. Every time a team boss fails to instantly deliver a championship, they are jettisoned, creating a vicious cycle of upheaval and lost progress. This revolving door of management has prevented Ferrari from building a sustained challenge against rivals like Red Bull and Mercedes, who enjoy structural consistency and trust in leadership.
Furthermore, while Vasseur has his flaws, he’s no slouch. He’s a racer through and through, with a proven track record in other motorsport categories, and he has cultivated strong relationships within the F1 paddock. Under his leadership, Ferrari have improved on operational errors and invested in long-term infrastructure changes. These things take time, and tearing it all down now would set the team back even further.
The notion that someone else could parachute in and instantly deliver titles is a fantasy. The top talent available is limited, and replacing Vasseur now — particularly amid uncertainty over whether his departure is temporary — would send a destabilizing message not just to the team but to the entire grid. It would signal that Ferrari’s old habits of panic and blame are still in full swing.
Ultimately, whether Fred Vasseur returns after dealing with his personal situation or not, the decision Ferrari must make is a defining one. Do they finally embrace stability and commit to a long-term project? Or do they continue their pattern of hasty decisions driven by pressure and headlines? The answer will shape the next decade of Ferrari’s legacy — and possibly decide whether they ever return to the top step of the podium in the modern Formula 1 era.
