Frédéric Vasseur backed by Ferrari amid Horner speculation

Ferrari has publicly reaffirmed its backing for Frédéric Vasseur after Christian Horner indicated that the Scuderia is the only Formula One team he would consider joining without taking an ownership stake. The former Red Bull team principal also described Ferrari as the sport’s biggest brand and suggested he would like to replace Vasseur.

Maria Conti, Ferrari’s communications director, addressed the speculation during an impromptu media briefing. She said the team’s position had not changed and that it retained complete confidence in Vasseur and his staff. Ferrari also urged unity inside the organisation and said its priority was the work required to improve performance.

Conti added that interest in Ferrari from prominent figures was natural because of the team’s standing, but said the Scuderia did not want to fuel outside assumptions about its management. Her comments covered both Horner’s remarks and wider speculation concerning Vasseur’s position.

The public endorsement gives Vasseur clearer institutional support as Ferrari prepares for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which has been moved to Sepang in Malaysia this weekend. It also marks a more direct defence of the Frenchman than Ferrari offered last season, when criticism focused on several of his strategic decisions during races.