Vasseur Pens New Ferrari Deal as Team Backs Long-Term Vision

Ferrari Doubles Down on Frederic Vasseur with New Multi-Year Agreement

Ferrari have made a decisive move to secure stability at the helm of their Formula 1 project by handing team principal Frederic Vasseur a fresh multi-year contract. The Frenchman, who took over the reins at Maranello in early 2023, has earned the trust of Ferrari’s upper management and will now continue to lead the team beyond his original deal, which was set to expire at the end of 2025.

The decision signals Ferrari’s strong belief in Vasseur’s leadership, despite a 2025 campaign that has thus far failed to produce the title-challenging form many had hoped for. But as CEO Benedetto Vigna made clear, Ferrari are building for the long term—and Vasseur is the man they want to build with.

“We want to recognise what has been built and commit to what still needs to be achieved,” said Vigna. “It reflects our trust in Fred’s leadership—a trust rooted in shared ambition, mutual expectations and clear responsibility.”

From a Rocky Start to a Renewed Vision

When Vasseur arrived at Ferrari at the start of the 2023 season, he inherited a team in the midst of transition. His predecessor, Mattia Binotto, had been let go following a 2022 campaign that started with promise but unravelled due to reliability issues, questionable strategy calls, and a general failure to keep up with Red Bull’s rapid development.

Vasseur’s early months were not without challenge. The SF-23 was no world-beater, and Ferrari spent much of the first half of 2023 playing catch-up. But under Vasseur’s steady hand, the team gradually regained competitiveness. Their breakthrough moment came in Singapore, where Carlos Sainz ended Red Bull’s unbeaten run with a tactically brilliant drive to victory—Ferrari’s only win of the season, but a significant one nonetheless.

That late-season momentum carried into the off-season, where Vasseur pulled off one of the most high-profile signings in recent memory: luring seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton away from Mercedes to partner Charles Leclerc for the 2024 campaign.

The Lewis Factor and Lofty Ambitions

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur signs new multi-year contract

Vasseur’s recruitment of Hamilton was not just about star power; it was a clear signal of intent. With two elite drivers, Ferrari believed they could finally launch a sustained assault on both championships. The pairing of Hamilton and Leclerc was hailed as a potential game-changer, blending the old guard’s experience with the Monegasque’s raw speed and hunger.

The early signs were promising. Hamilton claimed pole and won the sprint race in Shanghai—the second round of the season. But the grand prix results haven’t quite followed. Despite flashes of performance, Ferrari have struggled to mount a consistent challenge. Hamilton has yet to score a podium in a full-length race, while Leclerc has five to his name, including a strong second place on the streets of Monte Carlo.

As it stands, Ferrari sit second in the constructors’ standings—trailing runaway leaders McLaren by a mammoth 268 points, but still ahead of Mercedes. Individually, Leclerc and Hamilton sit fifth and sixth in the drivers’ standings respectively, behind Max Verstappen, George Russell, and McLaren’s pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Trust in Vasseur Remains Firm

Still, Ferrari’s leadership believes the right foundation is in place, and that Vasseur is the one to bring it all together. The Frenchman has become known for his pragmatic, no-nonsense approach, in contrast to the sometimes volatile atmosphere of the Ferrari pit wall in recent years.

“I’m grateful for the trust Ferrari continues to place in me,” Vasseur said in a statement following the announcement. “This renewal is not just a confirmation—it’s a challenge to keep progressing, to stay focused, and to deliver.”

“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.”

That “next step forward” will have to come soon if Ferrari are to meet the lofty expectations that come with bearing the most storied name in motorsport. The Scuderia last won the constructors’ championship in 2008, and their last drivers’ title dates back to Kimi Räikkönen’s triumph in 2007. The pressure to end that drought only intensifies with each passing season.

A Vote of Confidence in Changing Times

In many ways, this new deal for Vasseur feels like a course correction from the sometimes impatient Ferrari of old. Too often in the past, the team has been quick to reshuffle leadership when things didn’t go immediately to plan. In giving Vasseur more time, Ferrari are choosing continuity over chaos—a strategy that has paid dividends for rivals like Red Bull and Mercedes in the past.

There’s also a sense that Ferrari are moving in a more collaborative and measured direction under current CEO Vigna. The team have upgraded their technical structure, worked closely with engine partners, and invested heavily in simulation and development tools to better compete in the sport’s current era.

Vasseur’s experience, both from his time running ART Grand Prix in the junior formulas and later at Sauber/Alfa Romeo, has made him adept at managing talent and aligning resources toward a common goal. His calm demeanour has been praised internally, and his relationship with both Leclerc—whom he managed in F2—and Hamilton appears strong.

Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond

While 2025 was initially seen as the season where Ferrari could mount a full-blown title bid, attention is now inevitably turning to 2026. That year will see sweeping new regulations introduced, including major changes to power unit architecture and car design. For all teams, it will be a reset—and for Ferrari, an opportunity to close the gap once and for all.

Vasseur’s extension ensures that Ferrari’s leadership will remain stable through that transition. With continuity in place, the Scuderia can now focus on improving their current form while preparing for what could be a pivotal moment in the sport’s future.

In the meantime, fans will be hoping the red cars can deliver a few more highlights this season. Whether it’s a win for Leclerc, a podium for Hamilton, or simply narrowing the gap to McLaren and Red Bull, there’s still plenty of racing to be done—and plenty of pride on the line.

For Vasseur, the mission remains clear: build a winning Ferrari. And now, at least, he has the time—and the backing—to do just that.