Ferrari has insisted it has “full confidence” in Fred Vasseur amid mounting speculation about both his job and the potential of Christian Horner replacing him.
In a hastily-arranged virtual news conference on Tuesday, Ferrari’s chief communication officer Maria Conti said the team -- under-pressure due to poor results on the track -- wanted to avoid any “gossip” moving forwards.
“We have confidence -- full confidence -- in Fred Vasseur and in his team, and we continue to do so,” she said. “At this time it’s really important that the team remains united and cohesive, and we are focused with all the energy on the work ahead.
“Ferrari has always attracted extraordinary interest, and it’s only natural that many professionals aspire to be part of it. It is a reflection of the strength of what Ferrari really represents.
“So, this is why we really want to avoid, and we do not intend to fuel speculation or comment on assumptions coming from outside the company.
“And it’s not just related to the story in the times of Mr. Horner, but in general, the speculation about Fred.”
An interview Horner had given The Times, published ahead of last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, took on a life of its own ahead of the Baku event. Horner’s interview, which had been primarily to promote his new autobiography, out next month, included a response to a question about whether he would take the Ferrari job.
Horner replied: “Would I consider Ferrari? I mean, Ferrari is the biggest brand in Formula 1. It’s the dream. And arguably it’s the sleeping giant of Formula 1.” ESPN understands the former Red Bull boss was not intending to use the Times interview to declare his interest in Vasseur’s job and has been told by sources he is not actively pursuing a job with the Italian job as things stand, nor has he been offered one. Either way, the quote dominated the build-up and aftermath of the Baku race.
After Saturday’s event, a frustrated Vasseur said he had been asked “25 times a day” about his job and the Horner link.
The speculation around Vasseur and Ferrari leadership has reached fever pitch recently as the team’s performances have slumped.
Earlier this month, Lewis Hamilton posted to Instagram to deny multiple reports in Italy that he was pushing for changes to be made to senior members of the race team -- the seven-time world champion said he still backed Vasseur after the Baku race.
Tuesday’s press conference comes ahead of a race in Malaysia -- F1 is in the middle of the first of three triple headers (nine races across 11 weekends) to close out the season Conti added that while news about Ferrari is not uncommon, it was time to draw a line in the sand underneath it so the team can focus on the remainder of the season.
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“We are doing that today, on Tuesday 29th of September, because we would like to avoid that the next weekend in Malaysia will be focused only on this kind of gossip and speculation. But we would like to be focused on the race, on the performance, on the team, on Fred,” Conti added.
“The storm of communication around the team -- we are used to that, Ferrari is used to that.
“With more than 21 social media channels covering all the company, the fact is that after the race and on Sunday and yesterday, we can say this storm of communication was increasing. Normally it’s going down.
“And as we have a race the next weekend in Malaysia, we would like to take the time to ask you kindly not to focus on this. Fred is in his position and we are confirming his leadership. And we would like to be focused on the race, the team and its leadership.
“This is why we have done it. Because looking and monitoring the communication yesterday, today, normally it’s going down. But everybody, not just you guys, but also Italian media from all over the world, they are still creating a lot of different stories around Fred.
“And this is not useful. So this is why we decided to do that.”
Vassuer has been Ferrari boss since 2023 and almost led the team to a constructors’ championship the following season, narrowly missing out to McLaren. He played an instrumental role in signing Hamilton to the team at the start of 2025.
Ferrari started this season looking like the closest challengers to the dominant Mercedes team. Lewis Hamilton won in Spain before Charles Leclerc won in Great Britain, but the team’s results have dried up recently. Ferrari has not been on the podium at any of the last five races.
