Overview

• Ferrari’s team principal says aggressive, internet-driven speculation—particularly from Italian outlets—triggered internal distraction and job-security narratives the team never addressed publicly.
• Vasseur has now signed a multi-year contract following a July extension, providing clarity after weeks of conjecture about his position.
• He defended technical director Loïc Serra, arguing criticism was misplaced because the 2025 car was largely complete when Serra arrived.
• Vasseur said persistent stories linking Charles Leclerc to Mercedes created destabilizing noise and slowed his own contract discussions with Ferrari.
• Explaining the timing of Hamilton’s signing, he said announcing it before the 2024 season averted a “panic mode” for Carlos Sainz, pointing to Red Bull’s recent turbulence versus McLaren’s quieter environment as proof that noise hurts focus.