Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna has pushed back on suggestions of a personal rift with team principal Fred Vasseur, though his comments stopped well short of confirming whether the Frenchman will remain in charge beyond this season.

Speculation has intensified in recent weeks that Vasseur's tenure as Scuderia Ferrari boss could end once his fourth year at the helm concludes. Reports have suggested Ferrari is exploring a succession plan to ease Vasseur out of his role after this season, potentially offering him another position within the organisation rather than a clean break. The thinking, according to sources, is less about results and more about giving Vasseur a chance to step back from an intensely stressful, high-profile job. Ferrari's WEC boss Antonello Coletta is seen as the frontrunner to replace him, with Jerome d'Ambrosio another possibility, while talk linking Christian Horner to the seat is considered unlikely despite his recent remarks about the allure of Ferrari.

Some Italian media outlets have floated the idea that Vasseur's personal relationship with chairman John Elkann and Vigna has soured. Vasseur himself addressed the chatter in Malaysia, insisting his rapport with both men remains strong and that he communicates with them daily, while adding that wanting more — more autonomy, more resources — is simply part of racing's nature rather than a sign of organisational dysfunction.

Vigna, who was present in Malaysia and seen walking with Vasseur in the paddock, declined to speak directly to reporters chasing clarity on the matter. Instead he pointed to comments given to Motorsport Italy, where he dismissed the rumours as "fake news." In that interview, journalist Roberto Chinchero recounted an anecdote Vigna shared about dining with Vasseur while reading online claims that the two could not stand each other — a moment Vigna reportedly found amusing given the company he was in at the time.

Despite the lighthearted anecdote, Vigna's interview notably avoided stating outright whether Vasseur will remain team principal in 2027. Ferrari's communications chief Maria Conti offered similarly worded reassurances during a hastily arranged briefing earlier in the week, saying the team has "full confidence" in Vasseur and that "nothing has changed." Yet even her phrasing — describing Vasseur as being "in his position" — stopped short of a forward-looking guarantee.

Vasseur's contract runs through the end of 2027, and sources continue to suggest a succession plan is being considered, even as Ferrari insists the speculation has been addressed. Until an unambiguous statement is made, the uncertainty over Vasseur's long-term future appears far from settled.

Source: PlanetF1

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