Three weeks after Red Bull sacked team principal Christian Horner, Ferrari went the other way.
The Scuderia announced Thursday that it has agreed to a multiyear extension for team principal Fred Vasseur, who joined the team in 2023 after six seasons with Alfa Romeo, now known as Sauber. The deal confirms that Vasseur will lead Ferrari into the next era of Formula One, as new regulations coming next year are expected to create a significant shake-up in the championship.
“Renewing Fred’s contract reflects our determination to build on the foundations laid so far,” Ferrari’s statement read.
The extension also ends rumors that the Italian manufacturer was looking to part ways with their French principal—with most of the speculation coming from Italian outlets. Horner was also linked as a potential option to replace Vasseur.
While the Scuderia sits at second in the constructors’ championship, it has fewer than half the points of first-place McLaren. Ferrari finished just 14 points behind McLaren last year after a third-place finish in the year before—Vasseur’s first year with the team.
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton defended Vasseur in June despite the seven-time world champion’s relatively slow start in his first season with the team.
“He has my full support. It’s definitely not nice to hear that there are stories out there,” Hamilton said ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. “I love working with Fred.”
Hamilton added that Vasseur is the “main reason” why he joined Ferrari this season.
While Ferrari continues to be the most famous team in the sport, it has not won a constructors’ championship since 2008—the same year Hamilton won his first drivers’ championship.
Verstappen Staying, Russell Close to New Deal
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen was the top driver potentially on the move—but he confirmed Thursday ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix that he will stay at Red Bull, at least through next year.
“I’m discussing with the team already the plans, the things that we want to change for next year. So that means that I’m also staying with the team for next year,” Verstappen said when asked about his future.
Verstappen’s statements come days after Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko confirmed Verstappen was staying put next year.
“I can confirm that Max Verstappen will drive for Red Bull in 2026,” Marko told German outlet Sport.de on Monday.
Verstappen had previously been linked to Mercedes for next season despite being under contract with Red Bull until 2028. Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have yet to secure deals for next year, though the former is reportedly close to a new deal, according to Sky Sports.
The multiyear deal would keep him with the German manufacturer until the 2027 season.
