There are loads of moving parts in the environment of Formula 1. When you consider the car alone, you might lose count of the number quickly. That’s not even considering other factors as well, like the driver, team dynamics and something that has become increasingly more important in recent years, the media. Fred Vasseur was one of its most recent victims following surprising rumours making their rounds in the paddock.
In recent months, there have been several rumours within Formula 1. Rumours like ‘Max Verstappen leaves Red Bull for Mercedes’, ‘Perez signs with Cadillac for 2026’ or ‘Fred Vasseur in danger of being sacked’ are usually taken with a grain of salt. However, Vasseur has indicated that the last one of those rumours gave him quite some difficulty when negotiating his renewal as Ferrari’s Team Principal.
The power behind rumours, explained by Vasseur
Following the Canadian Grand Prix, Ferrari was in a bit of a situation as their results weren’t very impressive aside from a few podium finishes by Leclerc. The media jumped on the opportunity to spread doubt and question the leadership of Ferrari by pointing to Vasseur’s influence.
According to the Frenchman, in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, he had quite a challenge as he tried to re-sign with Ferrari in a multi-year deal as their Team Principal:
“The turbulence was caused by rumors. I wasn’t the one spreading them, the media did. Neither Ferrari nor I spoke. But today you can’t avoid this kind of distraction. When these rumors first surfaced in Canada, I was really angry. They went too far.”
Fred Vasseur Reveals the Brutal Truth Behind How Ferrari Lost Out to McLaren in 2025
With many teams targeted by these types of rumours in recent times, Vasseur speaks from experience when he talks about the effects that these statements have on one’s career. Despite these events, Vasseur has identified McLaren as one of the only teams that hasn’t been the ‘victim’ of these types of rumours.
With a strong lineup of two title-contending drivers as of 2025, a car that dominates the competition and a strong set of leaders calling the shots, there doesn’t seem to be anything that can derail McLaren this season. Vasseur calls it ‘one of McLaren’s strengths’ as many other teams are shrouded in doubt and struggling to perform consistently on a high level.
What will Ferrari do in preparation for the 2026 season?
With a team principal who will stay for years to come, Charles Leclerc locked down as well, and a seven-time world champion who races for Ferrari in 2026 as well, Ferrari could cause some serious trouble for the competition. Entering into the new regulations, the Italian outfit has all the ingredients to get back to the very top of Formula 1.
Ferrari Reveals Why Suspension Focus Could Be the Key to Cracking F1’s 2026 Regulations
Many fans, drivers and F1 pundits predict the newest set of regulations to focus on the new engines. Despite this, Ferrari believes to has identified another crucial component that could very well make a difference next season. Even more so when considering the changes to overtaking and the removal of DRS from F1.
While nobody knows for sure which teams will be at the front next year and which teams will struggle to keep up, everyone knows that you can never count out Ferrari. Especially a Ferrari in the hands of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
