Charles Leclerc has spotted an ‘important’ change behind the scenes at Ferrari since Fred Vasseur signed new contract

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Ferrari silenced the speculation surrounding the future of Fred Vasseur by giving their team principal a new contract, after he was at risk of being sacked earlier this season.

The 57-year-old had faced mounting pressure on his position in Maranello, as Ferrari had to give up on their title hopes very early in the year. Vasseur was also due to be out of contract at the end of the 2025 F1 season, which marks the Frenchman’s third campaign at the helm.

Ferrari have not had the sort of season that the pride of Italy entered 2025 feeling would be possible, after missing out on the F1 constructors’ championship by 14 points to McLaren in 2024. The Scuderia believed 2025 could yield a title, but the championships are out of sight.

McLaren are running away with the constructors’ standings this term, with the Woking crew already 299 points clear of Ferrari after 14 rounds. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton even exit the summer break 133 and 175 points shy of drivers’ championship leader Oscar Piastri.

Charles Leclerc thinks Fred Vasseur’s new contract brought ‘serenity’ to Ferrari

With their hopes fading fast, it was said in June that Vasseur had three races to save his job at Ferrari. But Vasseur signed a new two-year Ferrari contract at the end of July, which also gives the Scuderia an option to retain the Frenchman as their team principal through 2028.

READ MORE: Who is Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur? Everything you need to know

Ferrari delighted Leclerc by giving Vasseur a new contract, which also delighted Hamilton as both drivers backed the 57-year-old to earn new terms. Leclerc now believes Vasseur’s new contract has also brought “serenity”, after noticing how the speculation had affected Ferrari.

Leclerc told the media ahead of the 2025 F1 Dutch Grand Prix: “I’m sure that this has played an important part in just giving serenity to the team.

“Obviously, when there are these kinds of rumours as a team, you’re always trying to be completely unemotional and not being attached to these kinds of rumours, and just not listen to them.

“But I’m sure that it has some kind of influence when there are these kinds of things in the air. It was good [that Vasseur signed a new contract] and I think it’s great for the stability of the team.”

Ferrari must capitalise on their new ‘serenity’ ahead of F1’s 2026 regulations

Ferrari confirmed Vasseur’s new contract ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, which was the final round before the summer break. But F1’s summer shutdown rules ensured the Scuderia could not fully utilise the “serenity” that Leclerc believes Vasseur’s new contract has yielded.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Leclerc will hope to see Ferrari capitalise on the improved atmosphere in Maranello, though. The Scuderia are now focusing on designing their car for F1’s 2026 regulations, with no more huge updates due for their 2025 car, after Ferrari debuted a rear suspension upgrade at Spa.

Given the problems that Ferrari have suffered with the SF-25, the pride of Italy can ill-afford setbacks with next term’s car, given the extent of the regulation overhaul. Technical director Loic Serra also turned his focus back onto the SF-25 to oversee the rear suspension update.

It took Ferrari from the Chinese Grand Prix in round two until the Belgian GP in round 13 to introduce the upgrade after realising their problems in Shanghai. Hamilton was disqualified from the Chinese GP due to excessive wear to his floor from Ferrari running his car too low.