“There is nothing to add to the words of Mr. Benedetto Vigna,” said Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari’s current Team Principal, in a brief and direct remark during the traditional post-race weekend press conference.
After all, the statements made by Benedetto Vigna, the Chief Executive Officer of Ferrari, were extremely cautious and non-committal. They did not offer any confirmation, but at the same time, they did not explicitly deny anything either. Vigna’s message neither closed the door on potential changes nor left it fully open: “It’s July, we still have time. Discussions are ongoing. We are with Frederic. We just had lunch together.”
This careful and ambiguous wording led Italian newspapers to react with notable skepticism, interpreting the situation as somewhat unfavorable for Frederic Vasseur. Corriere della Sera, with journalist Daniele Sparisci, described Vigna’s remarks as “vague statements that do not clear up any of the doubts.” La Stampa, through the analysis of Jacopo D’Orsi, observed that “Vasseur’s role appears to be under scrutiny, as the CEO indirectly confirms.” La Gazzetta dello Sport pointed out how Vigna’s comments failed to clarify the Frenchman’s future within the team. Meanwhile, Corriere dello Sport, with journalist Pasquale Di Santillo, concluded: “The translation is more or less this: ‘We don’t trust you, your position is under discussion.’” Echoing the same sentiment, Leo Turrini on QN noted: “It certainly wasn’t an expression of confidence, at least not on the surface.”
As has often been repeated in recent years, Formula 1 operates with exceptionally long reaction times. The dominant position that the McLaren Formula 1 team currently holds in the 2025 season is the result of key strategic decisions made more than two years ago. These include the promotion of Andrea Stella to the role of Team Principal in December 2022, and the recruitment of Rob Marshall—who was officially announced in May 2023 and effectively joined as Technical Director in January 2024.
These are the same time frames during which Scuderia Ferrari, especially in view of its ambitious 2026 project, should begin to see the tangible results of Frederic Vasseur’s leadership and long-term planning. But does the team—and perhaps more importantly, the management—have the necessary time and patience to wait?
Starting a brand-new revolution today, one that completely overhauls the current structure, would mean that the first significant results might not be visible until 2027 or even 2028. In the meantime, the organization would likely be left citing the legacy of previous management as a constant excuse for underperformance.
It is clear that Frederic Vasseur and Ferrari’s top leadership are actively engaged in discussions. According to persistent rumors in the paddock and Italian media circles, one possibility under consideration is a redefinition of the team’s internal structure. According to reports from AutoRacer in recent days, Ferrari is reportedly evaluating the addition of a General Manager of Motorsport—a role that would sit above Fred Vasseur in the hierarchy. The candidate most frequently mentioned for this position is Antonello Coletta, a long-time Ferrari figure with extensive motorsport experience.
Such a move would represent a hybrid solution, blending change with continuity—a modification of the current organizational chart rather than a full reset. However, it is easy to understand how such a scenario would also raise important questions for Frederic Vasseur himself, whose authority could be affected by a restructuring that places another figure above him.
In conclusion, should Frederic Vasseur remain at the helm of Scuderia Ferrari, there would still be time to wait and evaluate the harvest from the seeds he has sown. On the other hand, if the Frenchman were to part ways with the team and leave Maranello, the new cycle of rebuilding would likely begin too late to ensure immediate competitiveness.
