Whilst recent headlines regarding team principals have been dominated by Red Bull‘s dismissal of Christian Horner, there has been rumbling speculation over Fred Vasseur‘s position as Ferrari boss.
The Frenchman has been in charge of Ferrari since 2023 and has been tasked with returning the team to it’s historical, competitive level. Great strides were made in 2024 when they managed to finish a mere 14 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ championship, but 2025 has not lived up to expectations yet, despite the acquisition of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
A Sprint Race victory for Hamilton in China has proved to be the major highlight so far this season, with neither he nor Charles Leclerc managing to win a Sunday race. That has led many to think that Vasseur could be living on borrowed time at Maranello.
Ralf Schumacher is in Fred Vasseur’s corner
In stark contrast to general public opinion, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has claimed that Ferrari are actually close to extending the contract of Fred Vasseur and are working to finalise the deal right now.
Speaking to the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, Schumacher explained that there is a desire for stability at Ferrari, and that is what an extension to Vasseur‘s contract would bring.
“Thankfully, we’re hearing that they are getting closer to Fred Vasseur again and are conducting contract negotiations,” Schumacher explained.
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“An extension would be extremely important to ensure stability within the team. And the drivers are behind him, too. That’s great to hear.”
Recent news about Vasseur‘s potential departure from Ferrari was rubbished my multiple drivers and team principals, including Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
“In Formula 1 you can’t buy time, and you need to give senior leadership the time to get on top of things,” Wolff explained to Motorsport.com. “Jean Todt, if I’m not wrong, joined the team [Ferrari] in 1993. They won the first championship in 2000. Eight years. That’s how it goes.
“And it comes in cycles. Look at us. I’m not enjoying being in a phase that it’s the third year in a row that we’re not fighting for a championship. We’re not useless. We have really good weekends. We’re winning races. It’s respectable at times. And when it’s not good, nobody’s questioning whether the top guy is doing a good job or not.
“Leave him the space. Let him do. Allow him to structure an organisation that isn’t going to grip from day one. Loic is there six months or seven months. They need to just let them do.”
