Italian journalists respond sharply to Ferrari's Vasseur.

      "Press freedom should not be restricted by any kind of pressure."

      The Italian motorsport journalists' union has responded to Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur's concerns. In light of major Italian newspapers speculating about the potential end of Vasseur’s tenure at Ferrari, he criticized the journalists for hindering the team's progress. The UIGA union, representing Italian motorsport reporters, issued a statement expressing that Vasseur’s comments are "concerning." While the 57-year-old Vasseur was not directly named, it is clear he is the focus of the statement. "These reports were deemed harmful to the team," the statement continued.

      He elaborated on how certain rumors create uncertainty among staff, causing tension that makes it difficult to set ambitious goals. The union recognized the media's responsibility to provide honest fact-checking, but asserted: "Press freedom should not be curtailed by any form of pressure, whether it is direct or indirect."

      "The journalists' role is not to back a team but to report truthfully on current events," the statement further noted. "This does not excuse the dissemination of unverified rumors, considering the potential human and professional repercussions."

      This viewpoint is echoed by notable Italian F1 journalist Leo Turrini, who compared Vasseur’s media criticism to that of former Ferrari leader Jean Todt. "Todt despised the free press," he wrote in his Quotidiano column, "but he never blamed it for his years of defeats, which certainly existed. After each grand prix, the fierce penguin spoke with the media for an hour."

      Turrini continued: "I’m not calling for Vasseur’s dismissal. The rationale is straightforward. If the owners believe Fred is the suitable individual, they should extend his contract without any conditions. We are approaching a regulatory change, and any existing trust in leadership must be shown without doubt. If the owners believe that Vasseur is the wrong person in the wrong position, they should replace him as soon as possible."