Lewis Hamilton publicly backed Ferrari’s chief Fred Vasseur after Christian Horner’s interview raised doubts about the chairman’s future.
Hamilton backs Vasseur amid turmoil
Speaking in Kuala Lumpur before the Bahrain Grand Prix, Hamilton praised Vasseur’s leadership, calling him “the guy to take this team in the right direction.” The Mercedes‑world‑champion underlined Vasseur’s role in pushing Ferrari to second place in the Constructors’ standings.
Ferrari’s own leadership statements, led by president John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna, have supported Vasseur’s contract renewal, countering speculation that the team was losing resolve after the former Red Bull chief was said to be searching for a new role.
Rumours swirl after Horner interview
Christian Horner’s comments in The Times, meant to promote his memoir, were interpreted as a hint that he might return to Formula 1, possibly taking over a team with an ownership stake. “I would consider Ferrari,” Horner said, describing the marque as “the dream” and “the sleeping giant of Formula 1.” The remarks triggered a media frenzy in Italy.
Vasseur expressed frustration at the distraction, saying the noise over his future added strain to a team already navigating daily challenges. “We are not working in perfect serenity,” he said, noting that the chatter was “frustrating” for anyone on the team.
Ferrari leadership remains steadfast
Despite rumors, the team’s hierarchy reaffirmed its confidence in Vasseur. The statement emphasized that the management under John Elkann and Benedetto Vigna was fully behind the chief, while acknowledging that “there are also people above Fred” in the decision chain.
Hamilton noted that negativity surrounding Ferrari was “ten times worse” than at other teams performing below the black‑and‑red club, attributing it to the iconic status of the brand.
When asked about Ferrari’s organizational model, Hamilton compared it to that of Mercedes, remarking that while “Toto Wolff is in a different position to Fred,” the structures differ; he declined to elaborate further on his private ideas for change.
In the paddock, Vasseur’s stance appears stronger than ever. With Hamilton’s backing and the firm support of the team’s senior executives, the smithy is poised to drive forward with renewed certainty.
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