Ferrari group principal Fred Vasseur revealed the assertion of help from chairman John Elkann was geared toward a “third social gathering” amid rumours of Christian Horner becoming a member of the Scuderia.
Elkann mentioned Ferrari has “full confidence” within the Frenchman “and within the work he’s finishing up” forward of final weekend’s United States Grand Prix, the place Ferrari completed third and fourth.
It got here after rumours circulated that Ferrari was trying to signal former Crimson Bull boss Horner as Vasseur’s substitute, regardless of the latter signing a brand new contract with the Italian outfit in July.
Horner has been involved with F1 groups searching for his manner again into the championship, however Elkann’s assertion has all however ended any risk of him becoming a member of Ferrari.
“For everyone it is good to have this sort of message,” mentioned Vasseur. “However as we’ve a everlasting contact, we already had the message, that was extra for the third social gathering and exterior goal.”
When pressed on how very important the assertion was to him, he replied: “Sure, it is vital as a result of like this you cease the dialogue and you’re targeted on the subsequent one and to not reply to all of the questions on this.”
Christian Horner, Crimson Bull Racing
Picture by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool
Vasseur’s place has been a sizzling matter this yr after he confronted staunch criticism from Italian media earlier in 2025 attributable to Ferrari’s disappointing begin to the season.
After taking the battle with eventual champions McLaren to the ultimate day final yr, Ferrari was anticipated to be a title contender this season, but it rapidly emerged that the British squad had pulled clear.
Ferrari is at the moment third within the championship, 344 factors behind leaders McLaren, and is but to win a grand prix in 2025 with 5 rounds remaining.
Regardless of that, Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc nonetheless have full confidence in Vasseur and so they have been requested in regards to the Horner hyperlinks forward of the Austin weekend.
“It is a bit bit distracting for us as a group,” mentioned Hamilton, who joined Ferrari this yr and beforehand labored with Vasseur when he received the 2006 GP2 title at ART Grand Prix.
“Clearly, the group have made it clear the place they stand when it comes to re-signing Fred, and Fred and I and the entire group are working actually arduous on the longer term for the group. So this stuff naturally aren’t useful.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Picture by: Clive Mason / Getty Pictures
“I do know everybody again within the manufacturing facility is working extremely arduous, targeted, and these kind of rumours can typically be distracting.
“However for me, it is actually attempting to maintain the concentrate on the aim that is in entrance of us and constructing on subsequent yr’s automotive, actually persevering with to construct a basis on this yr in order that subsequent yr we are able to have higher execution, higher general efficiency.”
Leclerc mentioned the noise is a component and parcel of Ferrari however it’s nonetheless not a welcome distraction, because the Scuderia appears to finish an F1 title drought that stretches again to 2008.
“There are many speculations round me, however simply normally across the group for no matter purpose, I really feel like there are too many individuals talking issues not coming from precise info and it is just a bit bit annoying,” mentioned Leclerc.
“It is all the time been like that. And I believe as a driver, however I believe as a group, we have simply bought to concentrate on our issues, which is what we’re doing. However it’s simply not nice and never tremendous good to see all this stuff across the group on a regular basis.
“It is undoubtedly not a scenario we wish to be in, in a manner that the efficiency isn’t on the stage the place we wish to be. However we’re all targeted on attempting to show that scenario round, as I used to be saying.
“And every time there’s a scenario the place the outcomes aren’t there, then there are all the time these rumours round that come again. However yeah, I imply, what I say right this moment is what I’ve mentioned prior to now six or seven years with the group.”
We would like your opinion!
What would you wish to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Staff
