Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has lifted the lid on the intense media scrutiny that comes with leading F1's most high-profile team. In a revealing interview with Autosport, Vasseur discussed how constant speculation about driver changes and engineering staff affects the Maranello workforce, particularly younger engineers who worry about their job security.

Vasseur, who took over in 2023, signed a new contract in 2025 despite rumors linking Christian Horner to his position. While he personally shrugs off speculation about his own future, he's concerned about its impact on team morale. The Frenchman described how engineers have approached him worried after reading media reports about colleagues supposedly joining Ferrari, with one even reporting that his wife had read he would be fired.

This isn't a new phenomenon at Ferrari. Ross Brawn famously banned newspaper reading in the office when he joined in 1996 to protect engineers from confidence-shaking rumors. Vasseur praised the strong relationship with Ferrari's leadership, including chairman John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna, highlighting the direct access that allows for quick decision-making. Despite some rocky moments in 2024 when performance didn't meet expectations after a surprise 2023 title challenge, Vasseur says the board relationship remains solid.