Frederic Vasseur admits 'big issue' with Ferrari distractions at Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
Frederic Vasseur says the "noise" surrounding Ferrari is a "big issue" for the team, admitting their release of a statement earlier this week reiterating the Italian outfit's faith in him had become "mandatory".
Vasseur said after last weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix that the team were "not working in perfect serenity" amid persistent and "frustrating" rumours around his position at the Scuderia.
The Italian media have speculated over Vasseur's future in recent weeks amid links that Christian Horner would consider joining the team.
"When you see the noise and all the rumours in the press all the week, I think as a team we need to work in serenity, and it was absolutely not the case," said Vasseur.
"I think the statement was mandatory to do something, or it would have been the same this weekend.
"But honestly, the big issue that we have today is the stability, the serenity in the team, the focus that we need to have, and not to have this kind of question all the day."
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Vasseur, who joined Ferrari as team principal from Sauber in 2023, has overseen their return to race-winning ways this year after a poor 2025 but their world championship challenge to Mercedes has faded in recent months amid a five-race run without a podium finish.
The 58-year-old, who signed a multi-year contract extension last season, called for a more "friendly media".
"When you take the role, the positive and the negative side of the job. I was expecting something like this," said Vasseur.
"What is sometimes a bit unfair is when you put someone under the bus, and I'm there also to defend my team, my guys.
"When we are winning, we are winning as a team, but when we are struggling, I'm there to defend all of them. I think it's the right attitude from everybody, from them to defend the team principal, from me to defend them when we are struggling.
"Honestly, I knew what I would get on that. I'm not surprised at all, but sometimes the attacks are a bit personal. It's not good."
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Lewis Hamilton passionately defended Vasseur ahead of this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia but pointed to Ferrari's structure in the team and whether it needed to be changed.
It was unclear whether Hamilton's comments were about the top end of Ferrari, including chairman John Elkann and chief executive Benedetto Vigna, or people below Vasseur.
Asked about Hamilton's comments and the Ferrari structure, Vasseur said: "The relationship that I have with my bosses, Benedetto and John, is a very good one.
"We are in daily contact, and I can't complain at all about the organisation. But for sure, you always want to get more, you always want to do more, you always want to recruit more too.
"But I think it's true for me and it's true for everybody on the grid, that you always want to do more because it's the DNA of what we are doing. But honestly, it has nothing to do with the organisation."
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Saturday October 35.15am: Bahrain GP Practice Three (session starts at 5.30am)*8am: Bahrain GP Qualifying build-up*9am: BAHRAIN GP QUALIFYING*
Sunday October 46.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Bahrain GP build-up*8am: THE BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX*10am: Chequered Flag: Bahrain GP reaction*
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Malaysia for the first time since 2017 as it hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit - watch Sunday's race at 8am (build-up from 6.30am), live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime
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