Vasseur signs new long-term Ferrari contract to end Horner speculation
Vasseur, who was instrumental in bringing Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari, has been under pressure with the Scuderia underperforming in what was expected to be a strong season. The team are yet to win a grand prix win this year.
Vasseur joined Ferrari in 2023, replacing Mattia Binotto and has been central in implementing an overhaul of the team, which has not won a drivers' title since 2007 and a constructors' championship since 2008. The team took five wins last season and finished second in the constructors' championship, leading to high expectations for Hamilton's first season with the Scuderia.
However the expected step forward has not materialised and Ferrari remain firmly outpaced by McLaren who have established a dominant advantage over the rest of the field.
This led to speculation, particularly in the Italian media, that Vasseur's future was in doubt with his contract set to close at the end of this season and suggestions that Ferrari were considering bringing in Horner, who was dismissed from his post at Red Bull three weeks ago. However before this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, Ferrari announced it was to stick with Vasseur for the future.
'I'm grateful for the trust Ferrari continues to place in me. This renewal is not just a confirmation, it's a challenge to keep progressing, to stay focused, and to deliver,' said Vasseur. 'Over the past 30 months, we've laid strong foundations, and now we must build on them with consistency and determination. We know what's expected, and we're all fully committed to meeting those expectations and taking the next step forward together.'
The Ferrari statement did not specify the length of the contract, noting only that it was a 'multi-year' deal and reaffirming their faith in the Frenchman to deliver success for the team.
'Fred joined the Scuderia at the beginning of 2023, bringing with him extensive motorsport experience and a proven ability to develop talent and build competitive teams across all levels of racing,' it read. 'Since then, he has laid a solid foundation with the ambition of returning Ferrari to the top of Formula One.'
The team are currently second in the constructors' championship but a full 268 points behind McLaren. Hamilton enjoyed a victory in the sprint race in China earlier this year but, sixth in the championship, has still yet to score a podium after 13 races, the longest he has gone into a season without a top three finish.
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