Vasseur responds to ‘disrespectful’ speculation over his Ferrari future

Fred Vasseur has shared his reaction to speculation over his future at Ferrari, with the Frenchman labelling the talk surrounding the squad as “disrespectful” as well as admitting that the rumours are “really hurting the team”.

After reports emerged over Vasseur’s position at the Scuderia ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton gave his backing to the Team Principal during Thursday’s media day.

Vasseur himself then offered his take on Friday and explained that he is more upset by the effect on others within the team, rather than how it impacts him.

“It’s not about myself, I think, because this I can manage,” he reflected. “It’s more about the people of the team. To throw their name like this, I think it’s just disrespectful – for them, for their family.

Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton (L) and Ferrari's French team principal Frederic Vasseur — Vasseur has received the backing of Hamilton following speculation over his future as Team Principal at Ferrari

“I don’t know the target. I don’t understand the target. Perhaps it’s to give s*** to the team, but in this case, I don’t see the point. Perhaps it’s for them the only way to exist. This is probably more the reason. But it’s really hurting the team.

“It’s, at one stage, a lack of focus, and when you are fighting for the championship, every single detail makes the difference. And from the beginning of the weekend, we are just speaking about this.

“And if it’s their target to put the team in this situation, they reached their goal. But I think it’s really – it’s not like this that we’ll be able to win a championship.”

When quizzed on whether dealing with such speculation was part of being a team principal, Vasseur – who took on his position at Ferrari ahead of the 2023 campaign – answered: “No, but to be the team principal – I knew when I took the position that you are exposed, and this I think is quite easy to manage.

Vasseur brands speculation over his Ferrari future ‘disrespectful’

“It’s more for the people of the team. They are working very hard and to decide one day that ‘this one will be replaced, this one is useless’ – honestly, it’s very harsh.”

Despite the speculation, Vasseur has reiterated that the mood amongst the drivers remains positive as they work to take the team forwards.

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“Now, with Lewis and Charles [Leclerc], I think we have a good relationship altogether,” he explained.

“We have a clear target. We know that we have to work. We know that we have to push. But the mood in the team is very good, and that’s the basis if you want to recover and to win.

“Everything is there. Everything is on the table to do a good job, and altogether, we are working well.”