Former team boss Günther Steiner observes as Frédéric Vasseur gradually becomes the next scapegoat within Ferrari. The Italian racing team has not performed as expected in 2025 so far, putting the French team boss increasingly under pressure. However, this does not surprise Steiner: ‘If you don’t win a title at Ferrari in three years, they ramp up the pressure.’
Expectations for the current season were high for Ferrari. The Italian racing team was involved in a title fight with McLaren until the end of 2024, and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton switched to the team. So far, however, Ferrari has not been able to meet expectations, with only three podium finishes in main races for Charles Leclerc. Therefore, the pressure has increased for team boss Frédéric Vasseur, who reportedly has until the British Grand Prix to turn the tide.
Former team boss Günther Steiner sees the writing on the wall for Vasseur. “Looking at history, I think we can say that he will be the next scapegoat,” the Italian explains in the Red Flags podcast. “He is definitely under pressure. It’s Ferrari. If you don’t win in three years, they ramp up the pressure.”
Various Italian media outlets, including La Gazzetta dello Sport, have suggested that Ferrari may want to replace Vasseur. “I don’t know how serious they are about wanting to get rid of him,” Steiner continues. “I have no idea about that. But when this was written about Fred, they were still second in the world championship.” Mercedes overtook Ferrari in the constructors’ championship after a victory and third place in Canada for George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli respectively. “It’s not perfect, because perfect is number one. I know that. But it’s also not really bad.”
Support from Vowles and Komatsu
Vasseur is not only supported by Steiner, but also by Williams team boss James Vowles. “I’ve known Fred for twenty years, and he’s a very good leader,” the Brit said in Montreal. Current Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu agrees with his British colleague, and thinks that the exit rumors about Vasseur have been circulated for one reason only. “People love to talk about such rumors when there isn’t much other news to write about.”
