t wasn’t a bad weekend. Nothing blew up. No major mistake. But if you’ve been paying attention to the Italian press lately, you’d think the wheels were coming off.
Fred Vasseur’s name has crept into the headlines again — not because of a disaster, but because something’s shifting. A wave of major publications back home in Italy are now airing doubts. Not directly from the team, but from somewhere close enough that people are taking it seriously.
And if that feels familiar, it’s because it is. Last time this happened, it ended with a change at the top.
Good Points, Bad Timing
There have been results. One car finished second in Monaco after a clean, if uneventful run. The other followed up with third in Spain. Solid points — but still no win, and not a single lap led.
Sure, they’ve bagged some points. But that’s not the same as actually fighting up front. Right now, the others? They’re gone — pulling away lap by lap. And if you’re watching closely, you’re not seeing much that says that gap’s getting any smaller. That’s the bit. Not what they’ve done — but what they haven’t fixed.
What’s Fueling the Noise?
The results aren’t what’s setting people off — it’s how he’s handling them. Vasseur’s been cool the whole way, even when stuff’s gone sideways. That’s worked before. But some are saying maybe he’s too relaxed this time. If you don’t act like something’s broken, do you ever fix it? That’s what’s nagging at people now.
There’s also been scrutiny around the biggest driver signing of the year. One of the most high-profile names in the sport joined to win. Instead, Lewis Hamilton has had a mixed start, and his post-race interviews haven’t exactly screamed optimism. Some outlets are now questioning the decision altogether — who pushed for it, and whether it’s already starting to wobble.
Inside the Camp
Then came the whispers about Leclerc. Not from him directly, but supposedly from those around him. The same sources say people in his inner circle are having second thoughts about the long-term contract he just signed.
When asked in Montreal, Leclerc said exactly what you’d expect — that he was “very surprised” and that nothing had changed. He didn’t look like a man playing games. But the fact that the question came up at all says a lot about how quickly the conversation has shifted.
Hamilton Shuts It Down
Hamilton wasn’t having any of it. He called the speculation “nonsense” and doubled down on his support for Vasseur. “I’m here to win with Fred,” he said. That line was clear. He also dismissed suggestions that he’s already doubting the project, telling reporters to stop making stuff up.
Names in the Background
Whenever this kind of pressure builds, alternatives tend to surface. That’s already happening now. One name that keeps coming up is Antonello Coletta — the figure behind recent endurance racing success. Another is Lorenzo Giorgetti, whose influence on the commercial and brand side of operations has been growing steadily.
Both would represent internal continuity, but in different ways — one technical, one strategic. Coletta’s already turned down the role once, but in this kind of environment, refusals don’t always last.
More recently, Christian Horner’s name has reappeared in the conversation. It’s not the first time — he was approached back in 2022 when the team last changed direction, but turned the job down. At the time, he even recommended Vasseur as a strong alternative. That’s resurfaced now, with some suggesting he has been sounded out again. But according to those close to him, Horner has no intention of leaving his current project — and remains committed to seeing through its engine programme and factory restructure.
The link, though, shows how wide the search lens is starting to get — and how high the stakes feel behind closed doors.
What Happens Next?
Vasseur’s approach has always been about keeping things steady. Don’t over-celebrate. Don’t panic. Just build. But this isn’t an environment known for patience. And if results plateau while rivals surge, calm leadership can start looking like inaction.
So far, he’s held the line. The drivers still back him. Nothing’s broken. But the media’s tone has shifted, and that shift tends to come from somewhere.
The next few races might decide how long this stays just a rumour with talk of the next three races being crucial.