Fred Vasseur Under Fire at Ferrari as John Elkann Plans Intervention Amid Mounting 2025 F1 Pressure
Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur maintained a firm and defiant stance at the F1 Montreal Grand Prix, directly addressing intensifying rumors in the Italian media suggesting his dismissal from the Maranello team could be imminent.
Heading into the Canada race weekend, speculation was growing rapidly that the French manager’s position at the helm of Ferrari was increasingly unstable following a disappointing start to the 2025 Formula 1 season. The Frenchman, who assumed the team principal role in December 2022, is currently in the final year of his contract with the Scuderia.
Ferrari have now slipped to third in the Constructors’ Championship, falling behind Mercedes after George Russell secured a dominant victory in Canada from pole position. Rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli added to Mercedes’ success by earning his first-ever F1 podium, further widening the gap. George Russell’s victory marked his fifth podium of the season, underscoring Ferrari’s growing struggles.
So far, Charles Leclerc has been the only Ferrari driver to finish on the podium this season, achieving P2 in Monaco and third-place results in both Saudi Arabia and Spain. Charles Leclerc currently ranks fifth in the Drivers’ Championship with 104 points, while his teammate Lewis Hamilton is just behind in sixth place with 79 points.
John Elkann Expected to Clarify Fred Vasseur’s Future as Pressure Intensifies
Amid the uncertainty, Italian media reports ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix claimed that Fred Vasseur had just three races to secure his future with Ferrari. The team now turns its attention to the upcoming rounds in Austria (June 27–29) and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone (July 4–6). But the French manager has publicly pushed back against the speculation, stating in Montreal that the rumors were “disrespectful” and damaging to the team’s morale.
Adding fuel to the fire, reports have emerged linking Ferrari with potential successors including Red Bull team boss Christian Horner and Antonello Coletta, who currently leads Ferrari’s highly successful World Endurance Championship (WEC) program. However, according to AutoRacer, Ferrari chairman John Elkann is “expected” to intervene in the near future to put an end to the rumors and provide clarity over Fred Vasseur’s future. Elkann is eager to stabilize Ferrari internally so the team can concentrate fully on preparing for the all-important 2026 Formula 1 regulation overhaul.
John Elkann’s ‘Win by 2026’ Vision Drives Key Decisions Amid Current Setbacks
John Elkann’s long-term strategy centers on achieving race-winning performance by 2026, when sweeping changes to F1’s engine and chassis regulations take effect. British pundit Martin Brundle has spoken out in defense of the French manager, insisting it would be “nuts” for Ferrari to dismiss him now. Martin Brundle argued that Fred Vasseur isn’t Ferrari’s core issue, stressing instead the need to give Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton a more competitive car.
Although Ferrari are expected to debut a major rear suspension upgrade at the Austrian Grand Prix, sources suggest this could be among the final developments for the current SF-25. John Elkann has effectively written off the 2025 season, placing priority on next year’s all-new regulations that could reshape the pecking order.
The 2026 F1 rules reset has long been John Elkann’s focal point. According to the Italian website AutoRacer, the Ferrari chairman set an internal mandate of “win by 2026” when reshaping Ferrari in his own image—decisions that included appointing Fred Vasseur, extending Charles Leclerc’s contract, and signing Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes.
Despite these moves, uncertainty remains over whether Ferrari’s 2026 power unit will be competitive. In the paddock, insiders fear Ferrari’s engine could lag behind those of rivals Mercedes and Audi. The latter will debut as a works team in 2026 after acquiring Sauber, and Audi’s engine project has been in motion since 2022.
As Ferrari’s current campaign falters, John Elkann faces a critical crossroads. His decision regarding Fred Vasseur may well define the Scuderia’s trajectory as they aim to return to title contention under Formula 1’s new era.
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