Ferrari Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur has criticised sections of the Italian media as “disrespectful”, speaking candidly during Friday’s Team Principals’ Press Conference at the 2025 Canadian GP.
Ferrari currently sit second in the Constructors’ Championship, but Vasseur warned that such scrutiny could derail their title ambitions. With both the support of both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc behind him, Vasseur condemned the recent media coveraged stating, “not like this that we can win a championship.”
When asked about recent headlines, Vasseur clarified, “It’s some of the Italian media, not all of the Italian media. It’s not about myself because this I can manage, it’s more the people of the team. To use their name like this is disrespectful to them and their family. I don’t understand the target.“
“Perhaps it’s to give **** to the team. In this case, I don’t see the point. Perhaps for them (publications) it’s the only way to exist. This is probably more the reason “But it still hurts the team. At one stage it’s a lack of focus. When you’re fighting for the championship, every single detail makes a difference.”
Media support essential but an ethical approach needed
Ahead of the 2025 F1 Canadian GP, Vasseur stressed the importance of positive and constructive media engagement as Ferrari continue their championship challenge. He believes critical press coverage has put the Maranello-based team on the back foot before the weekend has even begun.
“From the beginning of the weekend we have just been speaking about this. If it’s their target to put the team in this situation, they have reached their goal. It’s not like this that we can win a championship, at least not with this kind of journalist around us.”
While he accepts criticism as part of his role, Vasseur urged the media to consider the impact on team members who lack his public visibility.
“To be the team principal, I knew when I took the position that you are exposed. This is quite easy to manage. It’s more for the people of the team. They are working very hard. To decide one day ‘this one will be replaced, this one is useless’. Honestly, it’s very harsh. These journalists need to consider these people have family. This is completely disrespectful.”
Ferrari still in the fight
Ferrari entered the 2025 season aiming to challenge for the Constructors’ Championship, alongside Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren. However, Vasseur acknowledged that McLaren have set the early benchmark.
“The initial goal was to fight for the championship. But I think it’s true for us, Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren, we are all in this mood to fight for the championship at the beginning of the season. If you compare with expectation for that, McLaren is one step great compared to everybody and we didn’t do a good job on our side in the first couple of races.”
