Fred Vasseur is navigating the closing rounds of a difficult season for the Prancing Horse.

F1 Grand Prix of Mexico - Final Practice
Fred Vasseur has faced plenty of scrutiny this season (Image: Getty)

Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna has issued a bold statement ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, stating that the Scuderia’s F1 rivals ‘seem to run more smoothly than us’. This latest declaration will heap pressure onto the shoulders of Fred Vasseur, just weeks after chairman John Elkann publicly backed him.

The 2025 season has been a frustrating one for Ferrari, who have been overwhelmed by intense and ongoing speculation regarding Vasseur’s future and the internal atmosphere within the organisation. Lewis Hamilton’s on-track struggles have also contributed to the noise permeating from the Italian media.

Yet, while Hamilton remains without a podium this year and team-mate Charles Leclerc has been unable to add a Grand Prix victory to his collection, Ferrari could still finish second in the Constructors’ Championship standings.

They lead Mercedes by one point and Red Bull by 10 with four Grands Prix and two sprint races remaining in 2025. With millions of pounds in prize money on the line, CEO Vigna has issued a strong statement.

“There are other teams where everything seems to run more smoothly than it does for us,” he said. “So we need to make sure that all the ingredients necessary to win are functioning properly.

F1 Grand Prix of United States
Benedetto Vigna wants more from his F1 operation (Image: Getty)

“The podium in Mexico makes us happy, but we must keep our feet on the ground. Unfortunately, the season has not gone the way we expected. We will continue to work in a united and cohesive way because there are still four races to go, and we must give our best to see how things end.”

Vigna’s comments send a clear message to team principal Vasseur, who has rarely been far from the headlines this season. The Frenchman signed a long-term contract extension this summer, despite speculation that Christian Horner has held talks with the Prancing Horse.

Speaking at an event in Washington, D.C., ahead of the United States Grand Prix, Ferrari chairman Elkann made it clear that he still supports his team principal. “I want to express our full confidence in team principal Fred Vasseur,” he declared

“And in the work he is doing together with all his colleagues at Scuderia Ferrari – the mechanics, engineers and drivers who are busy this weekend in Austin. I would also like to reiterate the importance of teamwork on everyone’s part in order to maintain focus on the only goal that matters: always giving our best on the track.”