Ben Hunt is an award-winning motorsport journalist with over two decades of experience in Formula 1 and international media. As a former editor-in-chief and bestselling author, he delivers in-depth analysis and strategic insight from the highest level of the sport.
Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna has publicly defended Fred Vasseur and dismissed talk of a rift between the two of them but crucially stops short of confirming whether Vasseur will still be Ferrari team principal next season, even though the Frenchman's contract runs until the end of 2027.
The Ferrari CEO was in Sepang for the Bahrain GP in Malaysia in a show of strength for Ferrari however, he declined many media interviews, pointing to one he had done in which he attacked what he called "fake news" about his relationship with Vasseur.
As GPblog reported in, Ferrari has backed its team principal several times in recent days. Every one of those statements, though, leaves out the same thing; the confirmation that Vasseur will remain in charge in 2027.
The contract runs to 2027, the commitment does not
Ferrari extended Vasseur's deal on 31 July 2025 and that it runs until at least the end of 2027 and ended a summer in which the media had suggested he could be replaced.
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On paper, then, the question of next season should already be settled. In practice, nobody at Ferrari has said so on the record.
What Conti and Vigna actually said
Early in the week, Ferrari's chief communications officer Maria Conti held a hastily arranged briefing in which the team pledged their support to Vasseur.
Ferrari's position is clear, has not changed, and Ferrari has made its choices already, and we have confidence, full confidence- Maria Conti, Ferrari chief communications officer
Vigna's message to was much the same. He said he had been at dinner with Vasseur when he read online that the pair could not stand each other and added that "The trust in Fred is there and has always been there."
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Both statements are about the present. Vigna confirmed Vasseur's current standing but made no public commitment to him beyond his existing contract.
Why the gap matters
The silence stands out more because of what came before it. In late September, it is understood that Ferrari had drawn up a succession list. It named WEC boss Antonello Coletta as the leading internal candidate and deputy team principal Jerome d'Ambrosio as a possible promotion. Ferrari has not confirmed any of that, and it has not announced any change.
Speculation grew after Christian Horner told The Times that Ferrari would be a "dream job", although that has since been disregarded with his quotes being taken out of context.
Honestly, 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.- Fred Vasseur
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Vasseur has since asked for calm, telling reporters at Sepang: "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."
So the questions still remain about his future leading the team. Ferrari says it has given full confidence, trust and denied any rift. But what it has not given a single sentence saying Vasseur will lead the team in 2027, and until that time comes, the speculation will only increase.
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