The sensational departure of Christian Horner from Red Bull occurred in early July, while Frédéric Vasseur’s contract renewal was announced at the end of the same month. If Ferrari had intended to make a move for Horner, that would have been the ideal moment. However, there are no reports of discussions between Horner and Ferrari president John Elkann. Instead, Elkann has shown full confidence, continuity, and stability in Fred Vasseur’s project, confirming him as the head of Scuderia Ferrari.
Vasseur: united and determined for Austin
It only took a hint for rumors to explode, presenting Christian Horner’s supposed arrival at Ferrari as if it were a confirmed fact. The idea of a multiple world champion team principal joining the Scuderia, following Lewis Hamilton, created instant fascination. Horner, with eight drivers’ titles to his name at Red Bull, had previously seemed unlikely to leave the Austrian team that dominated the 2010s and early 2020s alongside Mercedes. Yet speculation suggested an all-in move to Ferrari, fueled solely by media conjecture.
Our investigations indicate these are completely unfounded rumors, with several inconsistencies. The circumstances surrounding Horner’s dismissal, which he learned about on the very day of the announcement, highlight the first point any publicly listed company must consider. Horner’s exit happened in early July, while Fred Vasseur’s renewal came at the end of the month. If Ferrari had truly planned a move, that timing would have been ideal. There is no evidence of discussions between Christian Horner and John Elkann, who instead reaffirmed his full trust and commitment to Fred Vasseur’s leadership of the team, as confirmed by Carlo Vanzini for Sky Italia.
Focus on 2026 after a challenging 2025
The results following Vasseur’s renewal have been far from satisfactory, falling short of hopes to compete for wins on tracks that should have been favorable, such as Monza, Baku, and Singapore. Since the renewal announcement, Ferrari has struggled to return to the podium, with only five appearances in 18 races—all with Charles Leclerc—making for a bitter season. What better time for an all-in approach? Fred Vasseur has full support from the company, but communication, particularly on race weekends, must improve. The Monegasque driver is already focused on 2026, leaving the 2025 chapter behind. Lewis Hamilton continues with his familiar mix of incentives and pressure, while the French manager remains concentrated on the present, true to his racer mindset.
Admitting the 2025 season’s shortcomings is not difficult, and, as most teams have done, Ferrari is now focusing 100% on the next season. On track, however, it is essential to remain active and responsive with the SF25; unlocking its potential would be both significant news and a major morale boost for the team, signaling that lessons have finally been learned. Ahead of Austin, Fred Vasseur emphasized: “The team is united and fully determined to change course.” It is never too late to find the holy grail, knowing that Ferrari will always operate under intense media scrutiny, not only from Italy but from around the globe. At Maranello, no one can consider themselves an underdog awaiting transformation; everyone must strive to be the most beautiful swan in the world, and that requires thinking like a swan.
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