On the eve of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Ferrari officially announced the contract renewal of team principal Frederic Vasseur for an indefinite period. This decision comes after months of intense speculation and criticism, during a time when Vasseur’s position appeared uncertain due to the underwhelming results collected by the SF-25 so far. Adding to the intrigue, Christian Horner had recently been dismissed from Red Bull, highlighting the volatility within top Formula 1 teams at the time.
Despite the challenges, John Elkann, Ferrari’s chairman, showed continued trust in the French team principal, tasking him with guiding Scuderia Ferrari through a critical regulatory transition. Removing Fred Vasseur from his role could have caused even more disruption—not only among the personnel loyal to him, who might have left alongside him—but also because the team would have been left vulnerable to further instability during an already complex period of technical overhaul. Instead, Ferrari has chosen to prioritize continuity and stability within the team.
“The fact that over the past few years the team has changed four or five team principals has not helped development,” explained Gian Carlo Minardi in an interview with Motorsport Italia. “Vasseur has been trying to implement changes for the past three years, but with the current technical regulations, achieving results during the first year and a half of a new technical cycle is extremely difficult. There was no alternative other than confirming Vasseur’s leadership.”
Gian Carlo Minardi also pointed out that Ferrari’s internal situation today is very different from what it was in his era. “It is no longer the dream destination for everyone, from mechanics to engineers,” he added. “Elkann’s presence in Hungary is not by chance. He is the leader who needs to provide reassurance and continuity. There is no doubt that the team lacks serenity, which is evident from the expressions on everyone’s faces. At the pit wall, there is tension like I have never seen before. John Elkann was right to be present at the track; he clearly communicated that he is fully committed to the team.”
This renewed focus on stability and leadership underlines Ferrari’s strategy to navigate the challenging 2025 season while keeping the core team intact and motivated. By maintaining continuity at the top, the Italian team aims to overcome both technical hurdles and internal pressures as they continue their pursuit of championship success.
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