Ralf Schumacher shares what he’s ‘hearing’ about Fred Vasseur’s Ferrari future since Red Bull sacked Christian Horner

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Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur seemed to be the team principal under the most pressure, yet Red Bull took the spotlight from the Scuderia after they sacked Christian Horner.

Doubts about how long Vasseur has left at Ferrari have been on the rise in recent months as a result of the Scuderia’s disappointing season. The Maranello outfit kicked off the campaign believing they would battle for the titles, but their dreams must now wait until at least 2026.

Ferrari are second to McLaren in the F1 constructors’ championship ahead of round 13 of 24 at the Belgian Grand Prix. But the Scuderia trail the Woking outfit by 238 points despite only losing to McLaren by 14 points for the 2024 title, as Ferrari seek their first crown since 2008.

So, reports emerged this June that Vasseur had three races to save his job at Ferrari with the 57-year-old also out of contract after this season. The Frenchman has so far survived, but the same cannot be said for Horner after Red Bull sacked the 51-year-old earlier this month.

Ralf Schumacher is ‘hearing’ that Ferrari and Fred Vasseur are negotiating a new contract

Red Bull sacked Horner without telling him why, having seemingly decided that enough was enough after 18 months of declining results, internal squabbles and his fight for power. The Briton was formerly linked with replacing Vasseur, yet Horner is not expected to join Ferrari.

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

Instead, Vasseur is now looking likely to stay in Maranello and lead Ferrari into the new era with F1’s 2026 regulation overhaul. Ex-Toyota driver Ralf Schumacher has heard that Ferrari are now in talks with Vasseur about a new contract having started to become ‘closer’ again.

It has also helped Vasseur’s hopes for signing a new contract at Ferrari that Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are both behind the Frenchman. Leclerc and Hamilton are just fifth and sixth in the drivers’ standings, and they also face 115 and 131-point deficits to Oscar Piastri.

Schumacher said on Sky Germany’s Backstage Boxengasse: “Thankfully, we’re hearing that they are getting closer to Fred Vasseur again and are conducting contract negotiations.

“An extension would be extremely important to ensure stability within the team. And the drivers are behind him, too. That’s great to hear.”

Fred Vasseur is not happy with Ferrari’s first offer of a new contract

While Schumacher is thrilled to be ‘hearing’ that Ferrari are ‘getting closer’ to Vasseur again, to tempt the Scuderia to negotiate a new contract for the Frenchman, the Maranello natives seemingly have some work to do to for the Draveil-born team boss to agree to stay for 2026.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

It is said that Ferrari have offered Vasseur a one-year contract extension for next season, but he is not very happy with the initial offer. The 57-year-old hopes to sign a new two-year deal that would prevent Vasseur from facing questions about his future at Ferrari again next year.

Giving Vasseur a new contract for at least the 2026 F1 season would offer Ferrari stability at the top going into the new regulation cycle. However, given there are question marks about Ferrari’s 2026 F1 rules engine, the Scuderia may not be keen to tie Vasseur down long-term.