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Fred Vasseur has addressed the swirling speculation that Christian Horner could replace him as Ferrari's Formula 1 team principal.
Horner is currently promoting his upcoming book while exploring avenues for a return to the world championship. He has made it clear he wouldn't settle for just a team principal role, aiming for an ownership stake after his dismissal from Red Bull in 2025.
However, speaking to The Times, Horner stated: "I was an employee. I spent 21 years in the pit lane. I don't need to go back to that. At this stage of my life, there's only one team I would consider not having an ownership stake in."
"Would I consider Ferrari? I mean, Ferrari is the biggest brand in Formula 1. It's the dream. And you could say it's the sleeping giant of Formula 1."
Horner's name has been linked with Ferrari before, even during his time at Red Bull, but a move never materialized. However, given Ferrari's struggles to contend for the title in 2026, Italian media have once again begun to criticize Vasseur, who took over the team's leadership in 2023.
According to reports from RacingNews365, a preliminary plan is being drafted for how Ferrari could manage Vasseur's departure at the end of the season, should the Frenchman decide to step down.
During the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, paddock rumors intensified regarding a potential exit for Vasseur at the end of the year.
Reacting publicly to these speculations for the first time, Vasseur appeared unimpressed by the questions but did not entirely dismiss the connection to Horner.
"We're not working in complete serenity, as this question is directed first at me, and also at everyone in the team, to the media; 50% of the questions are about this, and the situation is a bit frustrating," Vasseur told reporters after Ferrari finished fourth and sixth in Azerbaijan behind Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
"We are fighting for the championship, and in the end, we talk a lot about this, and for the guys in the garage, it's not the best topic of conversation, but what can you do?"
"It's not in my hands, and Horner is looking for a job, everyone knows that, everywhere, but what can I do? I'm just trying to do my best to move the team forward, to elevate it and be better than today, and then spend time with you, the media, where in every interview, 25 times a day, we return to this topic."
"What can I do? What can I say?" he concluded.
When asked if he was fully committed to his role, Vasseur replied: "Of course, this sport is my life, it's my business, and I'm trying to do my best. I'm here to do my job, I have the best job in the world, and we still have seven races left."
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