Ferrari extend Fred Vasseur's contract as F1 team boss
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur was key to persuading Lewis Hamilton to join the team this season.
BUDAPEST – Ferrari announced a multi-year contract extension with Formula One team boss Fred Vasseur on July 31, ending immediate speculation about the Frenchman's future at the helm.
Vasseur, 57, has been in the post since the beginning of 2023 and he was key to persuading seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to join from Mercedes this season.
But his tenure was questioned earlier in the year with reports suggesting that Ferrari had sounded out Christian Horner, the Briton who was sacked by Red Bull earlier in July and has yet to comment on what he will do next.
'Today we want to recognise what has been built and commit to what still needs to be achieved,' said Ferrari chief executive Benedetto Vigna in a statement released ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.
'It reflects our trust in Fred's leadership, a trust rooted in shared ambition, mutual expectations and clear responsibility. Under Fred's leadership, Ferrari is united, focused and committed to continuous improvement.
'The trust placed in him reflects the team's confidence in its strategic direction and reinforces a shared determination to deliver the results that Ferrari's fans, drivers and team members expect and deserve.'
Ferrari are second in the championship after 13 of the season's 24 races but a massive 268 points adrift of dominant champions McLaren.
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Hamilton, the most successful driver in the history of the sport with 105 wins, has yet to stand on the podium for his new employers although he did win a Saturday sprint in Shanghai in March.
Ferrari highlighted Vasseur's ability to lead under pressure, as well as bring change to the team.
'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 in the statement.
'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.'
Hamilton made a passionate defence of Vasseur in Canada last month amid speculation the Ferrari team boss could be replaced.
'I love working with Fred. Fred's the main reason I'm in this team and I got the opportunity to be here, which I'm forever grateful for. And we're in this together,' said the 40-year-old.
'Things aren't perfect but for me, I'm here to work with the team but also with Fred. I want Fred here. I do believe Fred is the person to take us to the top.'
Ferrari last won a championship in 2008, the year Hamilton took his first drivers' crown with McLaren. The last driver to be champion with Ferrari was Kimi Raikkonen in 2007. REUTERS
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