Fred Vasseur the showman: “Why not try acting? I’m looking for a job”. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur steals the spotlight at the New York premiere of the Brad Pitt F1 movie.

Fred Vasseur is a joker. Ferrari’s Formula 1 team principal never misses a chance to be “King for a night.” It’s part of his DNA. In the stunning setting of New York, during the premiere of the Formula 1 film starring Brad Pitt, the Frenchman let himself go with one of his usual performances. The pressure of his role was set aside to fully embrace his true self.

Fred annoys Horner
During an interview with Canal Plus, the sporting director was asked about a possible future as an actor. The Frenchman at the helm of Ferrari responded with his usual thunderous laughter and signature sarcasm: “Well yes, especially since I’m looking for a job!” A clear jab at rumors suggesting his position might be under threat.

But the New York red carpet, set up between skyscrapers for the world premiere of the F1 film—starring Oscar winner Brad Pitt alongside Javier Bardem—had already become the perfect stage for the Draveil-born manager’s irony. During a break in filming, on the rooftop of a skyscraper, Fred positioned himself behind Canal Plus’s audio technicians, ready for one of his pranks.

With his typical nonchalance, he didn’t miss the chance to engineer a comical moment. The former Alfa Romeo boss grabbed a boom mic and extended it toward an unsuspecting Christian Horner, who was standing with his wife Geri Halliwell, the former Spice Girl. Trying to “bother him” in a light-hearted way, the Red Bull team principal noticed and—though amused—waved the mic away. But that wasn’t the end of it.

Fred tells Leclerc to smile
Fred Vasseur was truly everywhere. A little earlier, another one of his theatrical outbursts had involved Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and his girlfriend Alexandra Saint Mleux, who were posing seriously for photographers. At that moment, a voice called out: “Come on, smile a bit, we’re not in jail!” It was Fred again, managing to get a slightly embarrassed smile from his driver.

But Fred Vasseur’s day as a showman had actually started earlier at the airport, where the Ferrari team boss made it clear he was ready to play the jester to entertain colleagues, friends, and anyone else. Before boarding his flight to New York for the premiere, he hid behind an oversized replica of his airline ticket.

The perfect F1 souvenir photo

Crouching behind it with only his head peeking out, his goal was to make the photo much more amusing. Even though the atmosphere around the historic Italian team wasn’t particularly upbeat—after a tough weekend on track—the head of the racing squad showed he hadn’t lost his sense of humor. He proved he still has that blend of lightness and self-awareness we’ve come to know.

This is what makes him one of the most genuine characters in the paddock, for better or worse. The film screening, heavily promoted by Liberty Media with F1 cars displayed along the red carpet, drew nearly all the main figures of the sport. The event was designed to win over a broader audience for F1, with New York transformed into a Hollywood stage. And in the midst of it all, between jokes and gags, Fred Vasseur ended up stealing the spotlight…