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Andrea Stella is being linked with a shocking move back to Ferrari, and the McLaren boss has already proven why he is the ideal candidate to replace Fred Vasseur.
F1’s silly season is well and truly underway in 2026, with the latest moves not set to come until two years into the future. It involves Ferrari boss Vasseur, whose position is back under scrutiny.
Despite Vasseur signing a new contract with Ferrari, which runs until at least the end of the 2027 season, the Frenchman is under pressure in Maranello, as many of his predecessors can attest to. The deal’s expiry date ties nicely into the rumours surrounding McLaren boss Stella.
It sounds like Andrea Stella could leave McLaren! How big a blow would this be?
Erik van Haren of De Telegraaf broke the story
Max Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase is set to join McLaren in 2028. The reports come as the Woking outfit prepare for Stella’s departure, with rumours linking him back to Ferrari.
Although it is unknown at this point, it would be natural to assume that the Italian would be replacing Vasseur as team principal, with the Frenchman’s contract expiring as Lambiase prepares to replace Stella at McLaren.
It has even been suggested that Stella has already signed a pre-contract with Ferrari. It will mark a return to the Prancing Horse, having spent 15 years with the team previously, and his tenure shows why he is the perfect replacement for Vasseur.
Andrea Stella’s winning mentality and success with Ferrari and McLaren are what Ferrari lacks with Fred Vasseur
Stella joined Ferrari in 2000, initially as a performance engineer for the test team. Eventually, he became the performance engineer of Michael Schumacher between 2002 and 2006, and Kimi Raikkonen between 2007 and 2008.
The Italian oversaw four drivers’ champions in that time – three with Schumacher and one with Raikkonen – before becoming the latter’s race engineer in 2009. When the Finn walked away from F1, he began working with Fernando Alonso, who was unable to win a title with Ferrari.
Stella followed the Spaniard to McLaren in 2015, taking on numerous roles. A return to Maranello was actually on the cards, as Carlos Sainz hinted he wanted to take Stella to Ferrari when he signed with them in 2021, but the Italian stayed put.
You’re Ferrari, what do you do – Hire Andrea Stella or keep Fred Vasseur?
Let us know in the comments!
Becoming team principal in 2023, Stella has helped transform McLaren into a winning project again, claiming back-to-back constructors’ titles in 2024 and 2025, as well as winning their first drivers’ title since 2008 with Lando Norris last year.
Meanwhile, since joining Ferrari in 2023, Vasseur’s tenure has seen just six Grand Prix wins. The Maranello outfit has not come close to fighting for the championship, and that is exactly what Stella can offer.
Ferrari have not had a winning mentality for years in Maranello. With Stella’s past success with both Ferrari and McLaren, he could be just what the team need to grab silverware again.
READ MORE: Who is Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur? Everything you need to know
Does Fred Vasseur deserve more time at Ferrari?
Given the reports, it could be interpreted that Vasseur has until the end of his contract to deliver a title at Ferrari. If Stella has indeed agreed to join the team, he is running out of time.
In fact, he may not even have that long, despite his contract. Vasseur has until this summer to save his job, given the lack of results the team have had in recent years.
However, 2026 has seen a change of fortunes, as Ferrari are much more competitive under the new regulations. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have secured P3 finishes in the opening three races of the season.
The SF-26 is not currently at the level of the Mercedes W17, but with more development, there is potential at Ferrari. Vasseur will need time, but how much of it he will get does not look promising.
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