Vasseur "Really Angry" Over Ferrari Rumors Before New Deal
Fred Vasseur, the team principal of Ferrari, admitted he was "really angry" about the swirling rumors regarding his future before he signed a new multi-year contract. The extension, announced just before the Hungarian Grand Prix, put an end to weeks of intense speculation.
Why it matters
Ferrari had faced a winless start to the F1 2025 season (referring to the previous year's performance impacting current speculation), leading to reports from Italy that Vasseur's position was under serious review. These rumors also cast doubts on Charles Leclerc's long-term commitment, despite his earlier contract extension, linking him to other top teams like Mercedes and Aston Martin.
The Details
- Potential Replacements: Antonello Coletta, head of Ferrari's World Endurance Championship operation, was named as a possible alternative. Ferrari also reportedly approached Christian Horner earlier in the season before his departure from Red Bull.
- Vasseur's Frustration: Vasseur revealed his annoyance, stating the speculation went "too far" by involving Leclerc's future and unfairly blaming technical director Loic Serra, who joined Ferrari in October of the previous year (2024 for a 2025 car concept). He argued these rumors delayed his own contract resolution, asserting negotiations would have been "much faster" without the constant "noise."
- Media's Role: Vasseur attributed the "turmoil" to media speculation, emphasizing that neither he nor Ferrari initiated the rumors. He criticized the aggressive nature of online reporting driven by click generation.
The Big Picture
Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari's chief executive, described Vasseur's extension as recognition of the team's achievements since his appointment in December 2022. Under Vasseur's leadership, Ferrari was the only team besides Red Bull to secure a win in 2023 (Carlos Sainz in Singapore) and narrowly missed the Constructors' title in 2024, finishing just 14 points behind McLaren.
What's next
Vasseur's renewed commitment aims to provide stability and focus for Ferrari as they continue their pursuit of championship success, moving past the distractions of recent speculation.