The future of Ferrari team boss Frédéric Vasseur with the Italian racing team is once again a popular subject of speculation. This is not the first time the Frenchman’s position at the Scuderia has been under pressure since he took over in 2023. According to Vasseur, harsh criticism is part and parcel of the job as team boss at Ferrari. “I knew in advance that I would be taking a lot of flak,” the Frenchman says.
Frédéric Vasseur has been at the helm of Ferrari since early 2023. During his tenure as team boss, Charles Leclerc, among others, won his home race, the GP Monaco, for the first time, but the real success that the tifosi are hoping for is still lacking. This season, Ferrari has even lost its second place in the constructors’ championship to Mercedes and now has to watch out for fourth place Red Bull. In addition, with only six races to go, Ferrari is facing a season without a Grand Prix victory.
Vasseur was already prepared
Ferrari executive John Elkann is reportedly considering replacing Vasseur with Christian Horner. This is not the first time questions have been raised about the Frenchman’s future with the Italians. However, according to Vasseur, this is part of the job as Ferrari team boss. “I’ve been in this sport for thirty years, and I knew in advance that I would be exposed like this,” the Frenchman tells The Athletic. “That I would be taking a lot of flak.”
“This ultimately works extremely negatively for us,” Vasseur admits. “I know we have to work under pressure and deal with pressure. That’s in the DNA of our sport. But I think you have enough pressure on the circuit not to have to feel pressure at home. We know we have to perform. We have to get results.” In addition, according to the Frenchman, it is normal for teams to have a slump. Vasseur points to McLaren, which has not won a race since the Dutch GP. “We all fluctuate up and down, but I would say that even if McLaren is going through a slump, they are still there. And when things get better, they fly.”
