Fred Vasseur has called for an end to the rumours surrounding Ferrari, insisting that the Scuderia must continue acting as one team through both its positive and difficult moments. The Ferrari team principal addressed the situation after receiving explicit support from Lewis Hamilton and, in particular, Charles Leclerc during the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend.
The past few days have not been straightforward for Fred Vasseur. Christian Horner putting himself forward and Ferrari’s disappointing results in recent Grands Prix have increased the pressure around the French manager, but both Ferrari drivers publicly backed him at Sepang. Charles Leclerc was especially emphatic in defending the team principal and reiterating his confidence in him.
The situation comes amid wider discussion over Fred Vasseur’s Ferrari future ahead of the crucial 2027 season, while the recent speculation around Christian Horner has also added to the scrutiny surrounding the team’s management structure.
Fred Vasseur wants Ferrari to move beyond rumours and gossip
Speaking to Sky Sport F1 after qualifying in Malaysia, where Lewis Hamilton secured a front-row start and Charles Leclerc qualified on the second row, Fred Vasseur also addressed the delicate situation he has faced within Ferrari.
“The support from Charles and Lewis? Yes, but it is not only Charles or Lewis defending me, or me defending them,” Fred Vasseur said. “I think we need to stop with all the rumours, all the gossip. We are working as a team, in the good moments and the bad moments.”
“Today it was not only Lewis, it was the whole team that achieved a good result. And when we suffer, in that case too, it is the whole team suffering together. So we have to act together, as a team, without feeding the system.”
The comments underline Fred Vasseur’s desire to keep the focus on collective responsibility rather than individual figures as Ferrari works through a difficult period. Recent uncertainty around the leadership structure has already fuelled discussion over Ferrari’s communication issues amid the Christian Horner rumours, making the French manager’s call for unity particularly significant.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc close ranks around Ferrari
The support from Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc arrived during a weekend in which Ferrari also enjoyed an encouraging qualifying result. Lewis Hamilton placed the car on the front row, while Charles Leclerc secured a second-row starting position, offering the team a stronger sporting backdrop after its recent difficulties.
Fred Vasseur nevertheless made clear that he does not see Ferrari’s successes or setbacks as belonging to one driver, manager or department. His message was that the entire organisation shares both the credit when results improve and the responsibility when performance falls short.
That emphasis on collective responsibility also follows renewed debate over Ferrari’s leadership, with the team having previously backed Fred Vasseur amid questions about his position.
Fred Vasseur jokes about the hardest part of the Ferrari job
Despite the pressure surrounding his position, Fred Vasseur ended the discussion with the dry humour that has often characterised his public appearances. Asked what the hardest part of being Ferrari team principal was, the French manager replied: “The interviews when it is 50 degrees.”
The remark provided a lighter ending to a serious message from the Ferrari team principal: the Scuderia intends to remain united internally, avoid fuelling speculation and approach both strong and difficult weekends as a single team.
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