Fred Vasseur warned his job may now be at risk as Ferrari have ‘reached their ceiling’

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Long-time Ferrari F1 engineer Luigi Mazzola fears the Scuderia have now reached their “ceiling” under Fred Vasseur, so the team may have to explore sacking the Frenchman.

Vasseur has been at the helm in Maranello since December 2022 when he moved to Ferrari from Sauber to replace Mattia Binotto in charge. The pride of Italy believed the 58-year-old was the right person to steer the ship in search of sealing their first drivers’ title since 2007.

Ferrari have not won the constructors’ championship since 2008, either, and 2026 looks set to be another frustrating season. Lewis Hamilton now ranks second in the drivers’ standings after six of this year’s 22 rounds, but he trails Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli by 66 points.

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Luigi Mazzola thinks Ferrari have ‘reached their ceiling’ under Fred Vasseur

Hamilton has sealed Ferrari’s best results so far this season with P2 in Canada and Monaco across the last two rounds, as well. Yet Mazzola, who spent 20 years in Maranello, wonders what more Ferrari can achieve, given that Vasseur has had four seasons to build his vision.

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

Mazzola told Fanpage: “It seems to me they’ve reached their ceiling. This is Vasseur’s fourth year with the team he’s building. They’ve done a good job, because Ferrari are still the second-strongest team.

“You can’t call it a failure. They’ve achieved something worthwhile, no doubt about it. As things stand, the car is second in the championship. McLaren are inconsistent, Red Bull are catching up, but as I see it, they’re still behind Ferrari. So, you can’t call it a failure.

“However, I’d describe it more as hitting a ceiling. I can’t see the leap they need to make to be genuinely competitive at the top – not just winning the odd Grand Prix, consistently at the top. I see this ceiling, I don’t see that leap.

“If ‘management’ also includes identifying capable engineers and the ability to get them to work effectively, then yes, there is a management aspect to it. This situation is due to a lack of technical creativity that could put the car at the front.”

Hamilton has thanked Vasseur for changing Ferrari and the support that the Frenchman has shown him since the Briton moved to Maranello last year. The seven-time F1 champion said after the Monaco GP that he would not have sealed P2 without the work that Vasseur does.

Ferrari must consider replacing Fred Vasseur if they fail to win either F1 title in 2026

Vasseur is encouraging a more open approach at Ferrari this season, as well, with engineers given freedom to take risks without any fear that they will be put to the sword for making a mistake. The move came as Vasseur was “shocked” by Ferrari’s caution after he took over.

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But if Vasseur’s changes to the approach and personnel in Maranello do not carry Ferrari to the top by the end of 2026, then Mazzola suspects the Scuderia will have to consider his position as team principal. Vasseur is under contract to Ferrari through 2027 after signing a new deal last July, and his terms are believed to also include an option to extend it to 2028.

He added: “It’s very simple, I hope those above Vasseur have the expertise to understand whether adjustments to the situation will allow us to move forward, or whether, even with adjustments, this situation would not lead to Ferrari winning.

“In the meantime, let’s finish this world championship, because we’re still at the start. Let’s let everything take its course, with plenty of Grands Prix, developments, reliability and all the situations that may arise.

“After that, if we start from the assumption that Ferrari will not finish first in either the constructors’ championship or the drivers’ championship, it is clear that we need to take stock of the situation.

“And that assessment must lead to a question, ‘Given this situation, by making adjustments, can we aim for the world championship? Or do we need to change?’ That depends on the wisdom and competence of those who have to make that decision.”

A few names already stand out for in case Ferrari ultimately feel like time is up for Vasseur at the end of this year. According to Quotidiano Nazionale, ‘everyone knows’ that Ferrari’s WEC chief Antonello Coletta could one day replace Vasseur in charge of the Scuderia’s F1 division.

Alternatively, the Daily Mail has suggested that Piero Ferrari and John Elkann disagree about appointing Christian Horner to replace Vasseur. It is suggested that Ferrari, who plays a main role in the Scuderia’s hires, wants to appoint Horner, but chairman Elkann is against a move.

So, for now at last, Vasseur can rest easy knowing that the reins at Ferrari remain under his control. But it remains to be seen how itchy Elkann’s trigger finger becomes if the Scuderia’s wait for another title rolls on, with their F1 drivers’ championship drought nearing 20 years.