Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur launches scathing attack on Italian media reports

MONTREAL – Ferrari team chief Fred Vasseur on June 13 launched a scathing attack on the Italian media, amid speculation that threatens to undermine him and stability at the Formula One team.

Speaking at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve where Ferrari have been a focus of attention ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix after a disappointing start to the season, he was defiant and made clear his feelings on stories that claim his future is in doubt.

“First, I have to stay calm because (if not) I will have to talk to the stewards,” the Frenchman said.

“It’s some Italian media. It’s not all Italian media. And it’s not all about myself, I think, because this, I can manage. It’s more about the people of the team. To throw their name like this, I think it’s just disrespectful for them, for the family.”

He added: “It’s really hurting the team. At one stage, it’s a lack of focus. When you are fighting for the championship, every single detail makes a difference.”

Vasseur agreed that as Ferrari team principal he knew he would be exposed to scrutiny.

“I knew when I joined, when I took the position, that you are exposed. This I think it’s quite easy to manage, but for me it’s more for the people of the team,” he reiterated.

“They are working very hard – to decide one day that this one will be replaced, that one will be replaced, this one is useless...

“Honestly, it’s very, very harsh because these journalists – and I’m not putting everybody in the same basket – they have to consider that these people, they have family.

“They have wives, they have kids, and this is completely disrespectful. Now, I don’t want to speak any more about this stupid (subject).”

Vasseur’s outburst followed a similar reaction from seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton on June 12, when the British driver gave his complete backing to Vasseur and Ferrari, and came shortly after Red Bull team boss Christian Horner had quashed rumours that he was moving to Ferrari.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Horner said: “There are so many rumours, but I’m not going anywhere.

“I’m fully committed to Red Bull. We’ve got so much good stuff coming through the pipeline. We’re on the verge of launching our own engine for 2026 which has been a massive project and undertaking.

“Of course, it’s always flattering to be associated with other teams, particularly teams like Ferrari, but I’m not going anywhere, not even to Alpine!”

Meanwhile in other news, Max Verstappen sees no need to change the way he drives despite the threat of a race ban hanging over him at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Red Bull’s four-time world champion is a penalty point away from triggering the automatic ban after a controversial collision with Mercedes rival George Russell at the previous Spanish Grand Prix.

Speaking to reporters, Verstappen said the situation changed nothing for him.

“Why should I?” he said, when asked about racing differently.

“I mean, I cannot just back out of everything. I’m just going to race like I always do. I trust myself,” added the Dutch driver, who has recognised what he did in Spain was wrong and should not have happened.

“Everyone makes mistakes in life. Everyone learns from them and we just move on from it,” he added.

Asked whether he deserved to be on the brink of exclusion, a situation he recognised as “not ideal”, Verstappen shrugged.

“What is fair? Is it fair that I’m on 11 (penalty) points? I don’t know. But at the same time, life is not fair. If you look at it like that, I don’t worry about it,” he said.

“I just come here to race, and I will always race hard, race how I think I should race and then we go on to the next race.” AFP, REUTERS