Frédéric Vasseur has reportedly been nicknamed “Napoleon” inside Ferrari amid claims that some members of staff regard the Frenchman’s leadership style as dismissive and arrogant. Italian journalist Giorgio Terruzzi described an unsettled atmosphere at Maranello during an episode of his Terruzzi Racconta podcast, raising further questions about the Ferrari team principal’s internal position.
The claims, first reported on 15 September, add another dimension to the reported tensions within Ferrari’s leadership structure that have dominated headlines in recent days. No leadership change has been confirmed, but Giorgio Terruzzi’s account suggests that relationships involving some of the most influential figures at Maranello have become increasingly strained.
Frédéric Vasseur reportedly nicknamed ‘Napoleon’ at Ferrari
During 2026, Lewis Hamilton has pushed for changes to Ferrari’s trackside personnel, a move that would also require the backing of Frédéric Vasseur. However, Giorgio Terruzzi’s reporting suggested that the French team principal’s own position within the company is far from secure.
The most significant claim concerned the relationship between Frédéric Vasseur and Ferrari chief executive Benedetto Vigna, which the Italian journalist described as effectively non-existent.
“The relationship with Benedetto Vigna is now non-existent. There is also an aversion towards him in Maranello because he is rarely seen. They call him Napoleon because he seems to have the attitude of an absolute boss all the time — irritating and somewhat arrogant,” Giorgio Terruzzi said.
Benedetto Vigna has overseen the company’s overall direction since 2021. That means any significant strategic decision involving Ferrari’s Formula 1 operation would normally require alignment between the chief executive and the team principal.
If the divide is as deep as Giorgio Terruzzi described, it raises questions about Frédéric Vasseur’s ability to act on Lewis Hamilton’s requests or lead the team through what has become an increasingly difficult season. Scrutiny of the French manager has already intensified amid debate over Ferrari’s management of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
Ferrari reportedly has no immediate replacement for Frédéric Vasseur
Despite the reported internal pressure, perhaps the most surprising element of Giorgio Terruzzi’s account is the suggestion that Ferrari does not currently have an immediately available alternative to Frédéric Vasseur.
According to the information discussed on the podcast, Ferrari World Endurance Championship project director Antonello Coletta is not interested in becoming the Formula 1 team principal. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, meanwhile, is said to have already rejected a possible move to Maranello.
The absence of a clear alternative would leave Frédéric Vasseur in an unusual position. Internal pressure on the French team principal is reportedly increasing, yet there is no obvious successor ready to assume control of the Formula 1 operation.
Lewis Hamilton personnel reports add to Ferrari pressure
Lewis Hamilton is reportedly pushing Ferrari to replace several key members of its trackside team, while his relationship with Frédéric Vasseur is also said to have become more complicated. The seven-time world champion’s influence and adaptation to Maranello continue to place his role within Ferrari under close scrutiny, with further developments covered in the Lewis Hamilton Ferrari news archive.
The latest reports follow an earlier reorganisation of Lewis Hamilton’s engineering group. That restructuring involved the transfer of his long-serving race engineer Riccardo Adami and the arrival of Carlo Santi and Cedric Grosjean.
The wider situation consequently leaves Ferrari facing uncertainty at several levels. Frédéric Vasseur is reportedly under growing internal pressure, his relationship with Benedetto Vigna has been described as severely damaged and Lewis Hamilton is seeking changes around the trackside operation. At the same time, the absence of an obvious replacement means there is currently no clear alternative ready to take charge at Maranello.
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