Ferrari F1 Leadership Talks Heating Up as Vasseur’s Future Stays Undecided
19 hours ago
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Ferrari is set to make a decision on team principal Fred Vasseur’s future, given the expiry of his contract at the end of 2025. Vasseur joined the team in 2023 and has since elevated the team to a new level.
The Frenchman’s impact was immediately felt following his arrival from Sauber, as Ferrari was the only team apart from Red Bull to win a race in the entire year of 2023. Carlos Sainz’s victory in Singapore was one of the biggest highlights of the season, a campaign that was otherwise dominated by Max Verstappen, who won 19 of the 22 Grands Prix, while Sergio Perez secured two race wins.
The 2024 season saw a resurgence of McLaren and Ferrari, with both teams surpassing Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship. The battle for the cup went on until the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Despite McLaren winning the championship, Ferrari proved itself to be a significant competitor under Vasseur’s leadership.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 28, 2024 in Spa, Belgium. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 28, 2024 in Spa, Belgium. Kym Illman/Getty Images
Vasseur also played a huge role in the signing of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton ahead of the 2024 season, who replaced Sainz this year. While Ferrari’s current struggles with the SF-25 F1 car don’t align with its goals, the team seems to be on the right path, given Charles Leclerc’s five podium finishes this season thus far.
Although Hamilton struggled to adapt to his SF-25, his positive feedback from last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix suggests a considerable improvement, courtesy of a new rear suspension and overnight tweaks on the car in parc ferme that helped him finish seventh at Spa-Francorchamps after starting in the pit lane.
A report states that a contract extension for Vasseur is on its way, and the deal is expected to be signed shortly. This comes amid recent rumors of Vasseur’s replacement. However, that is currently unlikely, especially considering the circumstances Ferrari finds itself in, and the onset of a new era of regulations next year, where cars will be powered equally by electric power and internal combustion.
In addition, considering Hamilton’s rapport with Vasseur that goes back to his junior racing days, the 40-year-old driver recently confirmed that he wanted Vasseur to stay with Ferrari. Newsweek Sports reported Hamilton’s comments from last month:
“I love working with Fred. Fred’s the main reason I’m in this team and got the opportunity to be here, which I’m forever grateful for. And we’re in this together. We’re working hard in the background. Things aren’t perfect, but for me, I’m here to work with with the team, but also with Fred.
“I want Fred here. I do believe Fred is the person to take us to the top. And so that’s that.”
He added:
“I’m here to win with Fred, and he has my full support.”
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