Ferrari’s Vasseur Deciphers Elkann’s Endorsement, Pinpointing External Pressure Amid Horner Speculation

Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur has shed light on the recent statement of unwavering support from Chairman John Elkann, revealing it was primarily directed at a "third party" rather than an internal message to reassure him, amid persistent rumours linking former Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner to the Scuderia’s leadership role. The clarification comes at a crucial juncture for the Italian outfit, grappling with intense scrutiny over its 2025 Formula 1 season performance.

Elkann’s emphatic declaration of "full confidence" in Vasseur and "in the work he is carrying out" was issued just prior to the United States Grand Prix, a race where Ferrari secured third and fourth place finishes. This public endorsement arrived in the wake of widespread speculation suggesting that Ferrari was actively pursuing Horner as a potential replacement for Vasseur, despite Vasseur himself having inked a new, long-term contract with the legendary Maranello squad in July of the previous year.

The rumours surrounding Christian Horner’s potential move to Ferrari have gained traction given his formidable track record. As the long-standing Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, Horner has overseen a period of unprecedented success, guiding the team to multiple Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. His strategic acumen, leadership qualities, and proven ability to build championship-winning teams have made him a perennially attractive figure in the competitive world of Formula 1 management. Reports indicated that Horner had been in discussions with several F1 teams regarding future opportunities, fueling the narrative of a potential return to the paddock after his departure from Red Bull. However, Elkann’s decisive statement from Ferrari’s highest echelon is widely perceived as having unequivocally closed the door on any prospect of Horner joining the iconic Italian marque.

Vasseur, addressing the media regarding Elkann’s intervention, stated, "For everybody it’s good to have this kind of message. But as we have a permanent contact, we already had the message, that was more for the third party and external target." When pressed on the personal significance of such a high-level endorsement, Vasseur elaborated on its strategic value: "Yes, it’s important because like this you stop the discussion and you are focused on the next one and not to reply to all the questions about this." His comments underscore the disruptive nature of such persistent rumours within the high-pressure environment of Formula 1.

Related News :

Vasseur’s tenure at Ferrari, which began in late 2022, has been a constant subject of debate and intense media focus, particularly within the passionate Italian press. He faced significant criticism earlier in the 2025 season following what was widely described as a disappointing start. The expectations placed upon Ferrari, a team steeped in racing history and supported by millions of fervent Tifosi globally, are immense. After a competitive 2024 season where Ferrari battled McLaren for supremacy until the final race, hopes were high for a legitimate title challenge in 2025. However, the current season has seen McLaren establish a significant lead, with Ferrari currently languishing in third position in the Constructors’ Championship, a substantial 344 points adrift of the leaders. With only five rounds remaining in the 2025 calendar, Ferrari is yet to secure a single Grand Prix victory, a stark contrast to their aspirations.

Despite the challenging circumstances and external pressures, Vasseur continues to command the full confidence of his drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Both drivers were directly questioned about the Horner links ahead of the Austin race weekend, offering their unequivocal support for their current team principal.

Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season and previously worked with Vasseur during his victorious 2006 GP2 championship campaign with ART Grand Prix, articulated the impact of the ongoing speculation. "It’s a little bit distracting for us as a team," Hamilton remarked. "Obviously, the team have made it clear where they stand in terms of re-signing Fred, and Fred and I and the whole team are working really hard on the future for the team. So these things naturally aren’t helpful." Hamilton further emphasized the internal focus required for success: "I know everyone back in the factory is working incredibly hard, focused, and these sort of rumours can sometimes be distracting. But for me, it’s really trying to keep the focus on the goal that’s in front of us and building on next year’s car, really continuing to build a foundation on this year so that next year we can have better execution, better overall performance." His statement highlights the need for stability and a unified vision to achieve the significant performance gains Ferrari requires.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s long-standing Monégasque driver, echoed Hamilton’s sentiments, acknowledging the inherent nature of speculation surrounding Ferrari but expressing frustration at its pervasiveness. "There are lots of speculations around me, but just in general around the team for whatever reason, I feel like there are too many people speaking things not coming from actual facts and it’s just a little bit annoying," Leclerc stated. He underscored the historical context of such rumours, noting, "It’s always been like that. And I think as a driver, but I think as a team, we’ve just got to focus on our things, which is what we are doing. But it’s just not great and not super nice to see all these things around the team all the time." Leclerc concluded by linking the recurrence of these stories to the team’s current performance, stating, "It’s definitely not a situation we want to be in, in a way that the performance is not at the level where we want to be. But we are all focused on trying to turn that situation around, as I was saying. And whenever there is a situation where the results are not there, then there are always those rumours around that come back. But yeah, I mean, what I say today is what I’ve said in the past six or seven years with the team." His remarks succinctly capture the immense pressure and constant external noise that accompanies the challenge of leading or driving for a team like Ferrari, particularly as they strive to end a Formula 1 title drought that extends back to 2008.

The explicit statement from Chairman Elkann, followed by Vasseur’s clarification, serves as a clear attempt to quell external distractions and reinforce internal cohesion. For a team of Ferrari’s stature, stability at the top is paramount, especially when navigating a difficult season and laying the groundwork for future competitiveness. The effectiveness of this public vote of confidence in redirecting focus and silencing external whispers will be a critical factor as Ferrari approaches the final races of the 2025 season and intensifies its preparations for the 2026 championship. The ultimate measure of its impact will be seen in the team’s ability to translate this renewed faith into tangible on-track performance.

Author Profile

Jonas Leo: Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.