In a recent interview, Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur spoke out regarding the rumors circulated by the media that claimed he was ready to leave the Scuderia Ferrari. The French manager, who has been at the helm of the team since the start of 2023, wanted to clarify his position and respond directly to the speculation that surrounded him for weeks. Here are his words.
Ferrari has just emerged from a very complicated and turbulent period. Since the Canadian Grand Prix, uncertainty and chaos seemed to dominate the atmosphere inside the Ferrari garage. At that time, many reports suggested that Frédéric Vasseur was on the verge of being dismissed by the Maranello-based team. Those rumors created a wave of confusion, both internally and externally, casting doubt on the team’s future direction. Today, those claims have been disproved following the renewal of Vasseur’s contract, a clear signal from Ferrari’s management that they continue to trust his leadership. However, Fred Vasseur still blames the media for the confusion and tension generated within the team during that period. In his latest interview, the Ferrari team principal made it clear that he was deeply disappointed by the way these rumors were spread.
Fred Vasseur against the media
Speaking to the German publication Auto, Motor und Sport, Frédéric Vasseur firmly denied having any role in the origin of those rumors about his supposed departure from Ferrari.
“The rumors were the cause of the chaos. I was not the one who started them; it was the press. Neither Ferrari nor I ever said anything.”
The French team boss made it clear that he considered those stories to be entirely fabricated, pointing the finger directly at the journalists who, in his opinion, were more interested in generating traffic and attention than in reporting the truth.
“In reality, the press today has become extremely intrusive, and their work is focused almost exclusively on generating clicks and views. Of course, I do not want to generalize, but with the rise of the Internet, journalism has become much more aggressive. There is a constant pressure to generate online traffic. When these rumors first appeared back in Canada, I was very angry. They really went too far.”
By highlighting his frustration, Vasseur wanted to emphasize the negative impact that such speculation can have on a team already working under immense pressure to compete at the highest level of Formula 1. False rumors about management changes not only create external noise but can also unsettle the team members who rely on stability and clear direction to perform at their best.
Frédéric Vasseur also pointed out that he was not the only one affected by this type of media speculation. According to him, other senior figures within Ferrari also became targets of unfair accusations.
“My technical director, Loïc Serra, was accused of not doing his job properly. Yet, the 2025 car was practically ready when Loïc started working with us.”
With this comment, the Ferrari team principal underlined how unfair it was for Loic Serra to be blamed for shortcomings in a project that had already been finalized before his arrival. By mentioning his technical director by name, Vasseur aimed to defend his colleague and to stress that the media’s stories not only damaged his own reputation but also unjustly criticized those who had little to do with the issues in question.
Ultimately, the Frenchman’s words reflect the growing tension between Formula 1 teams and the media in the digital era. The constant need for fresh stories, attention-grabbing headlines, and instant reactions has led to what many inside the paddock see as an unhealthy level of pressure and misinformation. For a team like Ferrari, already carrying the weight of immense expectations from its fans and sponsors, such rumors can become especially destabilizing.
Despite the difficulties, Frédéric Vasseur remains focused on Ferrari’s path forward. The contract renewal signals the support of the team’s top management, and the Frenchman is determined to continue leading the Scuderia through its rebuilding phase. By addressing the media directly, Vasseur not only defended himself but also reinforced the message that Ferrari must be allowed to work with stability and continuity if it is to challenge for wins and titles in the near future.
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