Vasseur 'Really Angry' Over Ferrari Rumors; Sainz Tipped as Hamilton's Ideal Replacement
Topline: Fred Vasseur expressed anger over Ferrari exit rumors, while an F1 pundit named Carlos Sainz as a potential ideal replacement for Lewis Hamilton, highlighting ongoing team and driver market dynamics within Formula 1.
Why it matters
These developments underscore the constant speculation and high-stakes environment surrounding team leadership and driver lineups in F1, particularly for a prominent team like Ferrari.
The big picture
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Sainz for Hamilton? Former Sky F1 pundit Johnny Herbert suggested Carlos Sainz could make a sensational return to Ferrari in 2026. Herbert believes a mutual parting could occur if Lewis Hamilton's current struggles with Ferrari persist, noting Hamilton's lack of a podium finish after 14 appearances for the team.
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Vasseur's Frustration: Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur admitted he was "really angry" about rumors concerning his future before he signed a new multi-year contract. Speculation had linked figures like Christian Horner and Ferrari endurance boss Antonello Coletta to his role during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
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Sainz Confident in Williams: Carlos Sainz stated he is "very confident" in his decision to join Williams for the 2025 season. This confidence comes despite the rapid progress shown by the soon-to-be Audi F1 team, which had also been a potential destination for Sainz.
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Albon's Red Bull Potential: Williams team principal James Vowles believes Alex Albon would be "a completely different animal" if he returned to Red Bull as Max Verstappen's teammate. This suggests Albon, who rebuilt his reputation at Williams after a difficult 2020 stint with Red Bull, is now seen as a stronger contender.
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Leclerc's Limited Options: Former F1 driver Christian Danner claimed Charles Leclerc has "no alternatives" in the driver market. Danner suggested that top teams like Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren would hesitate to sign the Monegasque driver, despite his eight wins since joining Ferrari in 2019.
What's next
The F1 season progresses with ongoing speculation surrounding driver contracts and team leadership. Future performance will heavily influence decisions for 2025 and beyond, keeping the driver market active.