Stefano Domenicali backs Fred Vasseur, emphasizes need for time to deliver results. Formula 1 President Stefano Domenicali expresses full support for Fred Vasseur's confirmed renewal.

Stefano Domenicali Had Backed Vasseur Ahead of Ferrari’s Official Contract Renewal Announcement
Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali emphasized the importance of continuity and patience at Ferrari just days before Frédéric Vasseur’s extension was officially confirmed.

F1 President’s Vote of Confidence Came Before Official Announcement
In an interview published by Corriere della Sera on July 25, Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali discussed several key topics related to the current state of the sport. One of the most prominent issues he addressed was the future of Scuderia Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur, who at the time was widely expected to continue in his role. That speculation was officially put to rest with Ferrari’s confirmation of Vasseur’s multi-year contract renewal on July 31.

Stefano Domenicali, who served as Ferrari team principal from 2008 to 2014, had already expressed strong support for the French manager, making it clear that he believed continuity was the best path forward for the Maranello-based team. His comments now read as a clear endorsement of Ferrari’s decision.

Domenicali Emphasized Patience and Structural Stability
Stefano Domenicali remarked, “When time and resources are made available, results follow. Ferrari has gone through significant structural changes, and it is important to allow those mechanisms to function properly. The management team at Ferrari certainly has the right tools to make informed decisions, and I believe they will move forward with a strategy rooted in continuity and with an understanding that time is essential to bring the new car concept to fruition.”

These statements now appear as a firm backing of Ferrari’s decision to extend Frédéric Vasseur’s contract. Since taking over as team principal at the beginning of the 2023 season, Vasseur has overseen key personnel changes and worked to streamline Ferrari’s operations, with the goal of returning the team to consistent front-running form.

Domenicali Urged Hamilton to Adapt Faster to Ferrari
In the same interview, Stefano Domenicali also addressed the performance of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who joined Scuderia Ferrari in 2025. While Hamilton’s arrival was seen as a major move for both parties, the results in the first half of the season have not yet lived up to expectations.

“Charles Leclerc is consistently ahead of him,” Domenicali noted. “Hamilton must adapt to the characteristics of the car.” His words were a clear call for the British driver to accelerate the process of understanding and exploiting the performance window of Ferrari’s 2025 car, the SF-25.

Praise for McLaren’s Rise Under Budget Cap Rules
Stefano Domenicali also commented on McLaren’s impressive resurgence in recent months. He described their current dominance as “a great lesson” for other teams and credited the FIA’s cost cap regulations for helping to level the playing field.

According to Stefano Domenicali, McLaren’s upward trajectory has been made possible by the financial equalization brought about by the cost cap, which he believes has “eliminated major inequalities.” He also praised the team’s strategic vision, noting that its leadership made excellent choices when assembling its technical department and organizational structure.

Now that Frédéric Vasseur’s future with Ferrari is officially secured, Domenicali’s comments stand as early validation of the decision—highlighting how time, stability, and continuity are essential ingredients in building a championship-contending Formula 1 team.