Vasseur rejects 'exodus' speculation amid driver conflict.

      "It's simply foolish because it's unjust."

      22 September 2025 - 12:32

      Frederic Vasseur has responded to rumors about Ferrari losing staff, even as his drivers experienced a confrontation in Baku regarding disregarded team orders. "The notion of people leaving Maranello is a joke," the Frenchman remarked sharply. He was addressing the recent speculation that the abrupt exit of essential engine-focused personnel to Audi was part of a broader trend of staff members leaving for competing teams. "There’s always some turnover - over the past 18 months, we’ve brought in 60 people from other teams," Vasseur asserted. "I believe we have a team capable of winning, but we definitely need to enhance every area. However, I’m not concerned about this at all. We need to continue pushing and be more opportunistic."

      These comments followed a tumultuous weekend during which Ferrari's performance deteriorated just as rivals McLaren encountered difficulties. "We share similar characteristics with McLaren," Vasseur confessed. "When they excel, we excel, and when they struggle, we do too. Mercedes and Red Bull are performing at a different level."

      However, the main focus in Baku was Lewis Hamilton's refusal to return P8 to teammate Charles Leclerc on the final lap. Despite Ferrari's instructions for Hamilton to allow Leclerc to pass following a late change, Hamilton stated that he miscalculated the timing. "I only received the radio message right before the end," Hamilton clarified. "I lifted off the accelerator and braked, but we missed the window by about four-tenths. That won’t happen again. It was just my error." He further added, "Charles was nice enough to let me through earlier. I was so concentrated on the car ahead that I misjudged it. I’ll apologize to Charles."

      Leclerc, on the other hand, appeared visibly annoyed. "I don’t really care, because it’s just eighth place," he remarked with a hint of sarcasm. "But it’s just stupid because it’s unfair. There are rules governing how we conduct swaps. Those weren’t adhered to. But it’s okay - he can feel satisfied with eighth place." The 27-year-old minimized the significance of the incident but acknowledged the principle was painful. "If we’re competing for better positions, I hope we’ll handle things differently. But on a day like this, honestly, I don’t really mind. We’ve been quite slow all weekend, and that's what we should concentrate on."

      Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Hamilton has expressed his discontent with Ferrari’s 2025 car. "I’d give anything for an upgrade," he remarked. "But we haven’t received one. Red Bull has made progress, we haven’t. We’re quite behind." Leclerc shared the disappointment but maintained a glimmer of hope. "Let’s assume it will be very tough," he admitted when questioned about the possibility of winning a race before the season concludes.