Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has asked fans and observers to exercise patience, explaining that success for a Formula 1 team requires time to develop fully. Despite facing pressure this season and reports suggesting that senior management was considering replacing him, Vasseur has retained his position at Ferrari following vocal support from drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
After the Hungarian Grand Prix, Vasseur emphasized the importance of giving the team time to organize and improve. He referenced the experiences of Christian Horner at Red Bull and Jean Todt at Ferrari, highlighting how both leaders had extended periods before achieving championship victories. Horner became Red Bull’s team principal in 2005 but secured his first title only in 2010, while Todt began his leadership at Ferrari in 1994, with championship success arriving five years later in 1999.
Building a Championship Team Takes Time, Vasseur Explains
Speaking to the press, Fred Vasseur highlighted the emotional significance of winning with Ferrari and acknowledged that assembling a successful team is a gradual process. He said,
“It’s no secret that Ferrari wants to win the championship again, and we will do everything to achieve it. I think we’ve made a good step forward everywhere, but now we need a little more time to put everything together for the 2026 challenge. It’s a good opportunity. I’m in the most exciting place: if you can win in F1, that’s great, but winning with Ferrari is something very emotional.” —Fred Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal
He continued,
“It takes time in general, and it takes time at Ferrari too: if we look at the history of F1, Christian Horner at Red Bull and Jean Todt at Maranello are success stories, but they took several seasons,” he added. “ It takes years to build a team and recruit the people you want to have with you, and then it takes time to work together. We want to be very agile in F1, but the reality is that we have a lot of inertia.” —Fred Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal
Vasseur’s comments underline the patience needed as Ferrari rebuilds its competitiveness, aiming to contend strongly once more by the 2026 season.
Clear Ambitions and Unity at Ferrari Moving Forward
Last season, Ferrari came close to claiming the drivers’ championship, with the title battle reaching its conclusion in the final race against McLaren. Looking ahead, Vasseur reaffirmed the team’s united commitment to achieving their objectives on the track. He stated,
“We have a clear target, a clear goal. Everybody in the company is aligned on this project and pushing in the same direction, and this is probably the best feeling when you have a goal and that everybody is convinced that we can achieve it, we can go for it and that we are all pushing in the same direction.” —Fred Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal
The 2026 F1 season will be a pivotal moment for Ferrari, particularly due to new regulations impacting power units. Vasseur and the team are mindful of the challenges posed by the past, including the power unit difficulties faced in 2014 that significantly impacted team performance. Ensuring Ferrari’s engine and overall car package are fully competitive by 2026 is central to their long-term plans.
Looking Ahead: The Road to 2026 and Ferrari’s Prospects
With Fred Vasseur firmly at the helm, Ferrari is focused on steady progress and teamwork while drawing lessons from historical Formula 1 champions. The patient approach reflects a belief that sustainable success comes from building the right foundation in management, engineering, and driving talent. Fans and stakeholders should expect a gradual rise toward the level of dominance that Ferrari aspires to regain in the coming years.
The support from influential figures like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc signals strong internal backing, and the extension of Vasseur’s contract confirms senior management’s confidence in his leadership. As Ferrari continues preparations for the 2026 season, the team’s commitment to unity and long-term development remains clear, aiming to return Maranello to the top step of the podium.