Just weeks after whispers of his exit, Fred Vasseur has locked in a multi-year extension as Ferrari team principal.
The news broke ahead of the Hungarian GP — and it’s raised eyebrows everywhere.
So why stick with Vasseur now? And what does it say about Ferrari’s future?
Here are 6 reasons the Scuderia is doubling down on Fred:
1. 💥 They backed him when it actually mattered
In June, Vasseur was under siege — with Italian media circling and boardroom whispers of a change.
But rather than fold, Ferrari held their nerve. No flashy public statement, no vote of confidence. Just the real thing: contract talks behind the scenes.
At Ferrari, most bosses don’t survive that level of pressure.
Fred did — and now he’s been rewarded.
2. 🧠 Ferrari has actually improved under Fred
Trackside execution? Better.
Strategy? Less chaotic.
Car development? More stable.
Sure, 2025 has been a title-less grind, but the team almost snatched the constructors’ crown in 2024. The vibes? Way more composed than the Binotto days.
As Charles Leclerc said:
“Fred keeps the emotional level of the team in a really good place.”
Not everything’s perfect — but Ferrari’s clearly on a healthier trajectory.
3. 🏗️ He’s building for the long game
F1 doesn’t work on quick fixes. Vasseur’s quietly been laying the groundwork for the future — and not everything shows up on a stopwatch.
Case in point: bringing Loïc Serra over from Mercedes. That move was initiated in 2023, finalised in 2024, and won’t bear real fruit until the 2026 car.
Ferrari’s message? They’re done with knee-jerk.
4. 🔧 2026 is the real test — and it’s Fred’s Ferrari
The big rules reset in 2026 marks a hard reboot for the sport — and for Ferrari, it’ll be the first true Vasseur-era machine.
Everything from engine design to aero philosophy is being reshaped, and Fred’s fingerprints are all over it.
To swap him out now?
That’d be like firing a chef before their signature dish hits the table.
5. 💬 Leclerc & Hamilton want him
When the media noise got loud, two key voices cut through it:
- Leclerc still rates the direction of travel.
- Hamilton flat-out said Fred is the reason he joined Ferrari.
“I love working with Fred. I’m here because of him,” Hamilton said in Montreal.
If you lose the dressing room, you’re done.
But Fred hasn’t — in fact, he has their trust.
6. 🧩 He’s the best fit — and changing now resets everything
Let’s face it — Ferrari’s had its revolving door moment. Since Jean Todt left, they’ve burned through six team bosses.
Vasseur’s not just another name. He’s already reshaping the culture.
And bringing in someone new — even Christian Horner, who they courted in 2022 — would mean starting over from scratch. Again.
That’s not progress. That’s panic.
⏩ What’s next?
Ferrari just made their biggest call of the season — off the track.
The 2026 car will be the true verdict on Vasseur. But this contract shows: they believe the long-term plan is working.
Now it’s time to deliver.
