After a crucial turning point in contract talks, Ferrari have left fans with just one big question mark hanging over Fred Vasseur’s future — what exactly is behind this unexpected silence and how will it impact the team’s plans moving forward?
Ferrari strengthened their position sat second in the F1 constructors’ standings at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix, but this season has not achieved Fred Vasseur’s predictions.
Team principal Vasseur started the 2025 F1 season believing that this might be the term that Ferrari finally returns their first drivers’ title since 2007 or constructors’ title since 2008 back to Maranello. But the titles are likely already out of Ferrari’s reach before the summer break.
While the pride of Italy may sit second in the F1 constructors’ standings after round 13 of 24 at the Belgian GP, Ferrari are 268 points shy of McLaren. Drivers’ championship leader Oscar Piastri also sits 128 points clear of Charles Leclerc in fifth and 157 to Lewis Hamilton in sixth.
Leclerc’s P3 finish in the Belgian GP for his and Ferrari’s fifth podium this season helped the Scuderia to move an additional 16 points clear of Mercedes in the scrap for the silver spoon. Hamilton recovered to P7 after starting the Belgian GP from the pit lane as he qualified P16.
Photo by Mark Sutton – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
Fred Vasseur is now set to sign a new contract, but Ferrari will not confirm its length
But scrapping for second place in the constructors’ championship is not what Ferrari desire. So, as the titles quickly seemed unlikely this term, reports emerged before the Canadian GP in June that Vasseur had three races to save his job at Ferrari – a spell he has since survived.
Vasseur faced an uncertain future in Maranello as his contract with Ferrari is set to expire at the end of this season. But Motorsport.com now reports that a ‘turning point’ followed the questions about the Frenchman’s future and Vasseur is set to sign a new contract at Ferrari.
Ferrari have elected to keep Vasseur on through at least the 2026 season to have continuity at the team heading into the 2026 F1 regulations cycle. Maranello chiefs do not want to add any further disruption by changing their team principal before the grid will potentially reset.
So, while there are no announcements about his new deal due yet, the ‘only question mark’ left is how long Vasseur’s new contract will be. The Scuderia do not aim to clarify the length of his deal, which will thrill Leclerc and Hamilton as they never lost faith in the 57-year-old.
Fred Vasseur’s future will be in question again if Ferrari struggle with the 2026 regulations
Hamilton and Leclerc have been two of Vasseur’s biggest supporters, including coming out and backing the Frenchman when questions emerged about his future in Maranello before the Canadian GP. Vasseur was key to Hamilton joining Ferrari from Mercedes this year, too.
But while the drivers still believe the Frenchman is the right man for the job, Ferrari’s lack of results put a target on Vasseur’s back. It was even said that Ferrari’s top brass have used the Italian media to make their disappointment clear, having gone 17 Grands Prix without a win.
So, if Ferrari also drop the ball with the 2026 regulations, which will mark their first car that technical director Loic Serra has truly designed since joining last September, then questions will persist – even if Vasseur is closing in on a new contract after regaining Ferrari’s support.
