Fred Vasseur addresses the impact of media speculation surrounding Ferrari and his role as Team Principal, and the need for the team to respond ahead of round 16 of the 2026 F1 season in Malaysia.
After a decent start to the 2026 F1 season, when Ferrari emerged as the second force behind dominant Mercedes, the team has recently fallen behind its competitors, with its last podium coming before the F1 summer break at Spa-Francorchamps. Due to the recent lack of form, criticism about organisational issues raised by Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton after a frustrating home GP in Monza, and former Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner further stoking the flames by throwing his hat in the ring as a potential successor to Vasseur, sparked the recent speculation about the Team Principal’s future with the team.
Following weeks of speculation, Ferrari decided to address the rumors surrounding Vasseur head-on by holding a press call with selected media, where the team expressed its continued backing of the Frenchman. The team said it addressed the rumors to avoid questions about the Team Principal’ future dominating press commitments during round 16 of the F1 season in Malaysia.
Vasseur about the necessity of Ferrari publicly backing his position
Nevertheless, Vasseur was asked about Ferrari addressing the speculation about his future during the official Team Principal’s press conference in Malaysia.
“I think this you have to ask your colleagues,” Vasseur responded to being asked about the necessity of the public statement Ferrari issued earlier this week.
He added that the excessive speculation about his future distracted the team, making it necessary to address the situation ahead of the 2026 F1 race in Malaysia so the team could focus on performance.
“When you see the noise and all the rumours in the press all the week, I think as a team we need to work in serenity, and it was absolutely not the case.
“I think the statement was mandatory to do something, or it would have been the same this weekend.
“But honestly, the big issue that we have today is the stability, the serenity into the team, the focus that we need to have, and not to have this kind of question all the day.”
Vasseur expected to be in a tough spot with the media when he took over as Ferrari Team Principal
Since taking over as Team Principal at Ferrari at the start of the 2023 F1 season, Vasseur has faced a fair share of rumors about his leadership of the Maranello-based outfit. Team Principals often come under fire first when the team doesn’t deliver results.
“Thanks to remind me that, I’m starting to be old!” Vasseur jests, when reminded that he has a thick skin.
While Vasseur expected scrutiny when he took over as Ferrari Team Principal, he notes that some “attacks” hit a bit too close and are undesirable, calling for a friendlier “media.”
“No, but for sure, as James [Vowles] said before, when you take the role, you know the positive and the negative side of the job.
“I was expecting something like this. What is sometimes a bit unfair is when you put someone under the bus, and I’m there also to defend my team, my guys.
“As I said before, when we are winning, we are winning as a team, but when we are struggling, I’m there to defend all of them.
“I think it’s the right attitude from everybody, from them to defend the Team Principal, from me to defend them when we are struggling.
“Honestly, I knew what I would get on that. I’m not surprised at all, but sometimes the attacks are a bit personal. It’s not good. We need friendly media.”
