With Lewis Hamilton’s recent leadership shake-up and Ferrari’s surprising announcement following the Austrian Grand Prix, Formula 1 enthusiasts are left eagerly anticipating what strategic moves and unexpected twists could soon emerge in one of motorsport’s most thrilling seasons ever.

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur will miss this Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix due to personal reasons with his deputy Jerome d’Ambrosio taking charge as Charles Leclerc lines up in second


Jerome d’Ambrosio, the Deputy Team Principal at Ferrari, will lead the race day

Ferrari will have a new face calling the shots at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix with Jerome d’Ambrosio stepping up to replace Fred Vasseur. D’Ambrosio serves as the deputy team principal but will be the man in the hot seat at the Red Bull Ring.

Vasseur would usually oversee race days but the Italian team have put out a statement explaining that he will not be present in Spielberg. A team statement read: “Fred will not be at the track today, because he has had to return home for personal reasons. Deputy Team Principal, Jerome d’Ambrosio will stand in for him.”

The 39-year-old Belgian previously raced in Formula 1 for the likes of Lotus back in 2011 and 2012. He’s since retired and has become a senior figure within Ferrari. As well as his current role he is also the head of the Ferrari Driver Academy.

Now he will be tasked with masterminding the team’s first race win of the season. Other that their sprint victory in China several months ago the Italian team have not taken the top step of the podium but will have Charles Leclerc lining up in second with Lewis Hamilton back in fourth.

It gives them the opportunity to fight with the two McLarens. Lando Norris in on pole position with championship leader Oscar Piastri back in third. Ferrari are currently third in the teams’ standings, behind McLaren and Mercedes.

Hamilton has, so far, struggled to adapt to his new team. He’s yet to stand on the podium on a Sunday with a fourth at Imola his best result so far. Leclerc has been more competitive, finishing third twice and second at his home race in Monaco, and he’s confident about their prospects after making some positive changes in Austria.

He said: “I’m very pleased. It’s been a long time since we started on the front row. It’s been a difficult season overall but the team have kept pushing. We’ve brought some new parts this weekend, which for sure made a difference because the gaps are super close.

“I’m very happy with the lap. It’s a good start to the weekend. We know that we have a better car normally in the race than qualifying, so I hope we can put a bit more pressure on McLaren tomorrow.”


Lewis Hamilton will line-up in fourth for Sunday’s Grand Prix

Hamilton meanwhile was full of praise for the team as he said: I think it’s been the best day operationally, particularly through qualifying. Just timings, the information we’re getting in terms of traffic and positioning on track, I think was really the best and proper world-class.”

Related Posts

During the Austrian Grand Prix, David Coulthard picked up on a surprising radio message from Yuki Tsunoda that sounded eerily similar to a complaint Sergio Perez once made – is Red Bull facing a recurring issue that their drivers are now daring to speak about more openly?

Yuki Tsunoda is once again starting a race on the back foot since his promotion to Red Bull Racing this season. Red Bull made the switch between Yuki Tsunoda and…

Ferrari face a disqualification threat that could shake up the entire championship standings — but the last-minute action they’ve just taken behind closed doors might reveal a much bigger problem within Formula 1 than anyone expected.

Photo: © IMAGO Ferrari have taken action at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix to avoid being disqualified, according to one Sky Sports F1 pundit. The 11th round of…

David Beckham’s unexpected F1 appearance turned into an awkward live moment when Martin Brundle tried to speak with him – and what followed left viewers cringing and Brundle clearly rattled in front of millions.

Martin Brundle has interviewed a host of celebrities during his time on the F1 grid, but there have been few incidents that have left him feeling as…

‘He Knows Something We Don’t’ – Horner’s Strange Words Spark Wild Speculation About Verstappen’s Exit from Red Bull

Horner tried to bat away the rumours FANS are convinced Max Verstappen will jump ship from Red Bull to Mercedes after watching Christian Horner’s gloomy interview. Mercedes…

Shockwaves Through the Paddock: Red Bull’s Surprise Statement Has Fans Fearing the Worst for Yuki Tsunoda After Austrian GP Qualifying Drama What does this mean for his seat – and who might replace him?

Yuki Tsunoda’s F1 Future in Jeopardy After Disastrous Qualifying Run The 2025 Formula 1 season has been far from kind to Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese driver, now…

Why George Russell Walked Away from a Mercedes Deal Millions Would Kill For — The Career Move That Shocked the Paddock

George Russell once rejected a Mercedes contract offer from Toto Wolff before the pair eventually joined forces, with the British driver leading the team’s charge in 2025…