Ferrari reportedly weighs bold move inspired by McLaren, potentially impacting Fred Vasseur’s role. Ferrari is reportedly planning a major management restructure, potentially adding a senior executive .

Ferrari is reportedly planning a significant and substantial overhaul of its senior management hierarchy and organizational structure, according to recent detailed reports from prominent Italian media sources.

Currently, the prestigious Italian racing team operates with Fred Vasseur serving as the official team principal, who reports directly to Ferrari Chief Executive Officer Benedetto Vigna, who in turn answers to Ferrari chairman John Elkann. This traditional management structure places Fred Vasseur in charge of overseeing Ferrari’s comprehensive technical development and innovation efforts, as well as handling the team’s political, strategic, and commercial decisions within the highly competitive environment of Formula 1.

However, Corriere dello Sport, one of Italy’s most respected and widely read sports newspapers, has revealed that John Elkann is contemplating a major restructuring of this current organizational setup. The Italian newspaper indicates that John Elkann may introduce a new senior executive role positioned above Fred Vasseur but still below both himself and Benedetto Vigna. This intermediary figure would serve as a crucial liaison and communication bridge between Ferrari’s senior leadership and the Formula 1 racing program, facilitating smoother collaboration, coordination, and decision-making across all levels of the organization.

This proposed change would bring Ferrari’s management model into closer alignment with that of the British Formula 1 team McLaren, where Zak Brown, as Chief Executive Officer, manages all political, financial, and business matters. This arrangement allows McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella to dedicate his full attention and resources entirely to the technical program, car development, and race operations on the track.

Fred Vasseur’s current contract, which he signed upon joining Ferrari in early 2023, is set to expire at the conclusion of this ongoing Formula 1 season. Reports circulating in the Italian press have suggested that Fred Vasseur could face dismissal or a non-renewal of his contract following a 2024 season that fell short of the high pre-season expectations held by Ferrari management and fans alike, with the Scuderia finishing 14 points behind McLaren in the fiercely contested 2024 Constructors’ Championship.

Despite these persistent rumors and speculative reports, Fred Vasseur has publicly and firmly dismissed any speculation about his future within the team. Both Ferrari’s lead drivers, Charles Leclerc and particularly seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, have expressed strong vocal support for Fred Vasseur, emphasizing his importance and positive influence within the Scuderia Ferrari team.