Sports · Motorsport · 20 hrs ago
Horner says Ferrari rumours were not meant to pressure Vasseur
Christian Horner said his comments sparked rumours he could replace Fred Vasseur as Ferrari’s Formula 1 team principal.
The speculation followed the release of an interview in which Horner praised Ferrari as the sport’s biggest brand and called it a sleeping giant.
Horner said the interview had been recorded weeks earlier and that he did not say Ferrari was his dream or intend to put pressure on Vasseur.
Ferrari publicly backed Vasseur after the rumours drew attention to his position.
Horner said he felt sorry for Vasseur, who faces the scrutiny that comes with leading Ferrari, and described him as capable.
Horner said he is more focused on other options and is not seeking the Ferrari job.
Former champion Emerson Fittipaldi also backed Vasseur and said Horner would not be the right person to lead Ferrari.
Christian Horner said comments about Ferrari were not intended to put pressure on team principal Fred Vasseur.
He said an interview published after it was recorded led to speculation that he might replace Vasseur.
Horner said he felt sorry for Vasseur and described him as a capable operator.
Ferrari had publicly backed Vasseur amid rumours about his position.
Former Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi said Vasseur should stay and that Horner was not the right man for Ferrari.
- Who
- Christian Horner said the comments were not intended to pressure Fred Vasseur.
- What
- Remarks about Ferrari sparked speculation that Horner might replace Vasseur. Horner said the remarks were taken out of context.
- When
- The articles were published on October 19 and 20, 2026; the interview that prompted the rumours was recorded about a month before it was released.
- Where
- The speculation concerned Ferrari’s Formula 1 team.
- Why
- Horner said the interview was meant to show respect for Ferrari, but its headline and other circumstances created a storm.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Horner gave an interview before Ferrari’s home race at Monza, praising Ferrari’s place in Formula 1.
The interview was released, prompting speculation that Horner could replace Vasseur.
Crash.net reported Fittipaldi’s support for Vasseur and criticism of Horner.
The Race published Horner’s explanation that his remarks were not meant to pressure Vasseur.
- Interview setting
- Before Ferrari’s home race at Monza
- Rumour
- Horner was linked with replacing Fred Vasseur
- Horner’s account
- Interview was recorded about a month before publication
- Fittipaldi’s view
- Vasseur was a great leader; Horner was not the right man for Ferrari
- Ferrari response
- The team publicly declared confidence in Vasseur
3 sources
What people are saying
I felt sorry for Fred because I've been at the front of a performing team, or a high-pressure team, and know what's involved.
Suddenly it turned into something that was actually not meant in any way to be putting any form of pressure on Fred.
It would be crazy for Ferrari to get rid of Fred.
Christian Horner would not be the right man for Ferrari, I don’t think.