Ferrari remains focused on the future 'regardless of the speculation' - Leclerc

      "Multiple small steps will be required."

      After expressing his frustration with the Italian media two weeks ago in Canada, Frederic Vasseur’s race weekend in Austria began on a noticeably subdued note. One of the few mentions of the Frenchman’s name amidst the swirling rumors regarding the non-renewal of his Ferrari contract came from Charles Leclerc, who claimed that the atmosphere behind the scenes was fairly calm.

      "Every time I come to the track, I have a smile," Leclerc stated. "I enjoy this environment, and with Fred, we form a great team. We will return to winning, including against Lewis (Hamilton), of course. That's our goal, despite the many rumors surrounding the team."

      Thus far at the Red Bull Ring, discussions about the team principal's future have been overshadowed by positive news regarding a Ferrari update – a new floor. There’s also speculation that an updated rear suspension layout, initially slated to debut at Spa, might be introduced earlier at Silverstone next weekend.

      "It’s a significant step," Leclerc noted about the new floor in Austria. "Will it be enough to catch up to McLaren? I don't believe so; the gap is too significant. Several small steps will be necessary."

      Regarding Hamilton, the 40-year-old appears only somewhat interested in 2025, emphasizing that his attention is not solely on the 2026 project but also on broader organizational matters.

      "I’m not sure about the exact figures for how much downforce the new floor is intended to provide," the Brit stated on Thursday. "I wouldn’t say we’re expecting much, but hopefully it’s a step in the right direction."

      Focusing on his outlook for the future and overarching organizational issues, Hamilton added, "I’ve discussed it extensively and don't want to delve into more details since I'm not making excuses. We’ve experienced multiple issues on both the driver and car sides, and we’re addressing them. Numerous events have occurred over these weekends. Perhaps one day, everything that has hindered us will be revealed."

      He then hinted at the elusive 'F'-word. "Behind the scenes, I’m collaborating closely with Fred and the team to implement changes and enhancements for long-term success," said the former Mercedes driver. "I’m working with Loic Serra and the entire team on next year’s front and rear suspension while tackling the understeer issues to prevent them from persisting. We aim to learn from past years and continue learning from this year as well, ensuring that next year is our best yet. That’s my primary objective."

      However, within the Ferrari-focused media landscape, speculation appears poised to persist for now. "The results the Scuderia is achieving under Vasseur are telling," commented former Ferrari driver Rene Arnoux to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I hope to be proven wrong and see more victories for Ferrari. But when we hear the team principal express satisfaction with fifth place, I simply do not comprehend it. I hope Maranello is diligently working on the car's development for 2026; otherwise, we have to acknowledge that the team is not in a strong position."

      Leclerc mentioned that he has tested the 2026 car in the simulator and shares Max Verstappen’s concerns regarding how the new radical rules may impact the enjoyment of racing. "To be honest, it wasn’t very enjoyable," Leclerc confessed. "But we’re still in the early development stages."