Title: Turmoil at Ferrari: Is Fred Vasseur’s Reign as Team Principal on the Brink?
In a shocking twist in the world of Formula 1, Ferrari finds itself in a maelstrom of speculation regarding the future of its team principal, Fred Vasseur. This comes on the heels of the Scuderia’s disastrous 2025 season, which has seen them flounder without a single victory as they grapple with significant performance issues and internal turmoil. Despite Vasseur signing a multi-year contract earlier this year, whispers of his potential replacement are growing louder.
The underlying tension reached a boiling point during the recent Singapore Grand Prix, where Ferrari was forced to deny reports of a “heated confrontation” between Vasseur and Matteo Togninalli, the head of trackside engineering. This alleged fallout has cast a shadow over the already beleaguered team, raising questions about stability and leadership within Ferrari’s ranks.
The 2025 season has been nothing short of a nightmare for Ferrari, primarily due to persistent problems with the SF-25 car’s ride height. This fundamental flaw has not only impeded the team’s performance but also led to the disqualification of new star driver Lewis Hamilton at the Chinese Grand Prix. In a desperate bid to salvage the season, Ferrari has implemented drastic measures—raising the car’s ride height and instructing both Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc to adopt a conservative driving style to avoid damaging the skid blocks.
The strain of these challenges has undoubtedly put Vasseur’s position under the microscope. Rumors swirling since the Canadian Grand Prix suggested that Ferrari was actively seeking Vasseur’s replacement, with reports indicating that Christian Horner was approached prior to his exit from Red Bull. Antonello Coletta, head of Ferrari’s successful World Endurance Championship operation, has emerged as another potential successor, despite having previously turned down the top F1 job.
In an attempt to quell the growing uncertainty, Ferrari extended Vasseur’s contract right before the Hungarian Grand Prix, with chief executive Benedetto Vigna emphasizing the team’s “trust in Fred’s leadership.” Yet, the ongoing struggles have reignited doubts about Vasseur’s future, particularly with Ferrari’s chairman, John Elkann, reportedly reconsidering interest in Horner following his costly departure from Red Bull, which involved a staggering $100 million settlement.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere within the Ferrari camp has soured, exacerbated by the internal strife and poor execution during race weekends. Togninalli, known for his “terrible temper but great expertise,” has also faced scrutiny following the disastrous disqualifications earlier this season.
Vasseur himself has voiced his frustration over the rampant speculation surrounding his future. After the contract extension was announced, he expressed his anger at how rumors had disrupted team dynamics. “Rumours caused the turmoil. I didn’t spread them; the media did. Neither Ferrari nor I said anything,” he lamented. He criticized the aggressive nature of modern journalism, which he believes distracts from the team’s focus and progress.
As the season progresses with six races remaining and Ferrari still seeking its first win, the question looms: will Vasseur survive this storm, or is Ferrari on the brink of yet another leadership overhaul? The clock is ticking, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for both the team and its embattled principal.
