Ahead of the U.S. Grand Prix, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur clarified at a press conference that chairman John Elkann’s supportive statement was in response to external rumors, particularly regarding the potential joining of former Red Bull chief Christian Horner. If Horner were to actually join Ferrari, Vasseur would face the risk of being ousted.
According to Elkann, Ferrari has complete confidence in Vasseur and the work he is doing. This statement pretty much locks in the likelihood that Horner will not be joining Ferrari, even though Vasseur already renewed his contract with the Italian powerhouse in July.
External rumors and distractions
Vasseur stated, “This is good news for everyone.” He explained that this announcement addresses external rumors, reiterating that the permanent connection with Elkann has never been broken. “If we could put an end to these discussions, we could focus more on the next match rather than responding to these issues.”
Despite facing intense criticism, Vasseur’s start to the season with Ferrari has not been ideal. The team currently sits in third place on the leaderboard, trailing the leading McLaren by a staggering 344 points, and has yet to secure a championship.
The Confidence of the Driver
Despite facing turbulence, Ferrari drivers, like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, still express confidence in Vasseur. Hamilton noted that these rumors may cause some distraction for the team, but their focus remains on long-term goals and building next year’s car.
Leclerc also agrees with Hamilton’s perspective, noting that external rumors are bound to have an impact, but the team must stay focused and committed to improving their performance. He mentioned that Ferrari hasn’t won an F1 championship since 2008, which remains one of their biggest challenges.
