Vasseur: "Don't Spread Rumors Like This" After Ferrari Contract Extension

Why it matters

Frederic Vasseur's direct stance against speculation highlights the intense pressure and media scrutiny within F1, emphasizing the human cost of unfounded rumors on team morale and stability.

The big picture

Weeks before the Canadian Grand Prix, reports surfaced claiming Vasseur's job at Ferrari was at risk, with Antonella Coletta as a potential replacement. Ferrari quickly debunked these by announcing Vasseur's multi-year contract extension. Vasseur had expressed visible anger during the Canadian GP press conference over the false information.

The details

• Vasseur on Exposure: Appearing on the "F1 Beyond the Grid" podcast, Vasseur acknowledged the high-pressure environment at Ferrari, stating he knew he would be "exposed to the gossips, to the rumors, to this kind of polemic." 그는 페라리에 서명할 때부터 이러한 상황을 알고 있었다고 말했습니다.
• Upset by specific claims: He was particularly upset by two points in the article:
  • Loic Serra: The article suggested Serra was "not the right guy for the job," despite joining after the car's development. Vasseur called this "absolutely nonsense" and unfair to throw a name "under the bus."
  • Charles Leclerc: Rumors about Leclerc moving to Mercedes were also part of the article. Vasseur noted Leclerc constantly denied these, reaffirming his commitment to Ferrari, yet had to address it weekly.
• Call for calm: Vasseur emphasized that such articles aim "to create the mess" and urged media to "calm down." He stated, "Be negative when we are doing a poor job on track, but don't spread rumors like this."

The human element

Vasseur's primary concern was not for himself, but for the team members and their families. He explained how baseless rumors could lead employees to believe their jobs were at risk, causing unnecessary stress and disruption. He stressed that behind the names, there are families, and journalists should understand their actions are not helping.

What's next

With Vasseur's contract secured and his position clearly defined, Ferrari will now aim for stability and focus on performance on track, free from internal speculation.