John Elkann on Fred Vasseur: “We have a very strong bond. Our goal is to finish 2025 on a high note”. Ferrari president John Elkann highlights the strong partnership with team principal Frederic Vasseur.

The president close to the team
On the Friday of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Ferrari president John Elkann was present in the team garage to show the ownership’s closeness and support for the squad, especially at a time when Frederic Vasseur’s contract as team principal of the Maranello-based team was extended.

John Elkann also gave two interviews, one to Sky Italia and another to the official Formula 1 website.

Finishing 2025 strong
In his conversation with journalist Lawrence Barretto, John Elkann explained: “This is the last race of the first part of the season, so it’s a good moment to be here with the team. It is also an ideal time to reflect on what has been a difficult start and, even more importantly, to lay the right foundations for the second half of the season. We need to make sure everyone is energized to enjoy a well-deserved break and come back stronger than ever. We have had a tough season so far, and that’s why it’s really important to finish well and start the second half very strong and full of energy.”

The Elkann-Vasseur strong partnership
The topic of Frederic Vasseur’s contract renewal was naturally addressed. The official statement referred generically to a “multi-year” deal, while media reports varied between a 2+1 year contract and a full three-year extension.

From John Elkann’s words, confidence in the team principal clearly emerges: “We have worked really well with Fred, and when things go well, it’s important to continue that way. The reality is that, based on these past years, we all want more, and we know that in Formula 1, timing is crucial. What you really need is commitment, trust, and to make sure time is on your side. This is the natural evolution of our relationship with Fred, which has been very strong and is palpable. At Ferrari, we know how important stability is and how much it impacts results. This is truly what we all want.”

Returning to victory
Finally, speaking to F1.com, John Elkann emphasized a point dear to him—the strength that comes from unity, a motto that means even more in Maranello: “Ferrari wants to win, has won, and will win when it manages to bring everyone together. What matters at Ferrari is not the individual, but the individuals. These individuals, when they work together, can achieve incredible things. This has certainly been the case in Formula 1. We all remember when we won, and we won because there was a strong feeling that incredible individuals—from our engineers to our mechanics, our drivers, and our team principal—were truly individuals working together. So it’s not about the individual, but about the collective effort of great individuals who, together, can achieve even more.”