F1 News Today: Ferrari confirm Vasseur decision as star AXED in 2027 driver change… Read more

Ferrari confirm Vasseur decision as star AXED in 2027 driver change – F1 News Toda

 

Ferrari have moved to end the growing speculation surrounding team principal Fred Vasseur, issuing a strong public statement of support after former Red Bull chief Christian Horner emerged as a potential candidate for a return to Formula 1.

 

The intervention came after days of intense speculation about Vasseur’s position at Maranello, with the Frenchman facing renewed scrutiny as Ferrari’s 2026 campaign has failed to develop into the title challenge the team had hoped for.

 

In an unusual move, Ferrari organised a hastily arranged media call on Tuesday to make its position clear. Chief communications officer Maria Conti delivered the message on behalf of the Ferrari leadership, insisting that the team had already made its decision regarding Vasseur and that there was no vacancy at the top of the Scuderia.

 

“Ferrari has made its choices and has full confidence in the leadership of Fred Vasseur and his team and we will continue to do so,” was the central message from the Italian team.

 

The statement was significant because speculation over Vasseur’s future had intensified following comments made by Horner, who is currently outside Formula 1 after leaving Red Bull.

 

Horner recently described Ferrari as the “dream” destination and said he would consider working for the Italian outfit even without an ownership position. Those comments, made while promoting his new book, immediately fuelled suggestions that he could be positioning himself for a return to the paddock.

 

The comments created an obvious link between Horner and the growing rumours surrounding Vasseur. However, Ferrari have now made clear that they are not currently preparing for a change at team principal level.

 

Vasseur joined Ferrari at the beginning of the 2023 season after previously working at Renault and Sauber/Alfa Romeo. He has overseen a significant period of change at Maranello, including the recruitment of Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season. Formula 1’s official profile confirms that Vasseur remains Ferrari’s team principal for a fourth season in 2026.

 

The 2026 campaign has nevertheless created frustration within the Ferrari camp.

 

The new regulations represented one of the biggest technical changes in modern Formula 1, bringing major alterations to the chassis, power unit, battery and tyres. Ferrari entered the season with considerable expectations, particularly after signing Hamilton, but Mercedes have established a substantial advantage in the constructors’ championship.

 

Following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Ferrari were second in the constructors’ standings but 160 points behind Mercedes. McLaren were also within striking distance behind the Italian team.

 

Vasseur himself acknowledged that the continued speculation had become a distraction.

 

The situation had become particularly uncomfortable during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, where questions about his future repeatedly dominated discussions away from the actual racing. According to reports, Vasseur described the situation as frustrating and said Ferrari were not operating with the level of serenity required to maximise their performance.

 

Ferrari’s decision to arrange a special media briefing therefore represented an unusually direct response.

 

Rather than allowing the rumours to continue unchecked, the team chose to publicly reinforce its position and insist that its focus remains on completing the season and improving its competitive performance.

 

The message also appeared to address the Horner speculation without directly attacking the former Red Bull boss. Ferrari acknowledged that many people would naturally want to work for the famous Italian team, effectively presenting Horner’s comments as evidence of Ferrari’s enduring status within Formula 1 rather than confirmation of an impending leadership change.

 

For Vasseur, the public backing provides a clear indication of Ferrari’s current position.

 

It does not mean the Frenchman will be immune from scrutiny if results continue to disappoint, but the team’s latest statement makes clear that there is no immediate plan to replace him with Horner.

 

The situation is also important for Ferrari’s 2027 planning.

 

Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were Ferrari’s confirmed driver pairing for the 2026 season, with the team having built its project around the experienced seven-time world champion and its established Monegasque star. Ferrari’s official pre-season announcement confirmed the pair as teammates for the new regulations.

 

Despite the headline speculation about a “star axed” in a 2027 driver change, Ferrari’s latest statement does not confirm that either Hamilton or Leclerc has been dropped for 2027. The confirmed development from Ferrari concerns Vasseur’s leadership, with the team publicly backing him rather than announcing a change at the top.

 

That distinction is important as the 2027 driver market begins to take shape across Formula 1.

 

Several teams are already making decisions about their future line-ups. Haas, for example, has been assessing multiple candidates for its 2027 seats, while other teams have also begun finalising their plans.

 

Ferrari, meanwhile, appear determined to keep attention on the track.

 

The Scuderia still have races remaining in the 2026 campaign and will be looking to reduce the gap to Mercedes while protecting second place in the constructors’ championship. Ferrari have already demonstrated that they possess the pace to win races this season, with Hamilton and Leclerc both recording major victories during the campaign.

 

For now, however, the message from Maranello is unmistakable: Vasseur remains Ferrari’s team principal and continues to have the confidence of the organisation’s leadership.

 

Horner’s Ferrari dream may have generated one of the biggest stories of the week, but Ferrari have made their position clear. There is no confirmed vacancy for Horner, no announced removal of Vasseur and no confirmed Ferrari driver axing for 2027 in the team’s latest statement.

 

The pressure surrounding the Scuderia will therefore remain focused on performance rather than an imminent change of leadership. As Ferrari head into the closing stages of the season, Vasseur will have the opportunity to answer the speculation where it matters most on the Formula 1 track.