Axed F1 team boss hands support to Fred Vasseur during Ferrari 'pressure'

Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has offered his support to under-fire Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur.

The Italian squad has endured a difficult first half of the ongoing F1 campaign, which has yet to yield a grand prix victory.

Recent reports in the Italian media have suggested the Frenchman is under pressure at Ferrari to turn around the team's fortunes, or risk being shown the door.

Horner, recently axed by Red Bull after 20 years in his role, ironically highlighted the importance of having a stable management structure as a key to success, which has now been shattered at the Milton Keynes-based team. 

“I think in any organisation, stability is tremendously important," said Horner, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365, before his sacking just after the British Grand Prix. 

Referencing the "21 years of stability" at Red Bull, which had "borne the kind of results" the team achieved, including eight drivers' titles and six constructors' championships, he added: "I think Fred is a very capable manager.

“He’s obviously managing what effectively is a national team in Ferrari, and with that comes expectation and pressure.

“He’s still relatively new to the role, and it takes time to put the right processes in place, the right people, the right culture. There are no silver bullets in this business.

“It’s about collectively getting a group of people to work towards one objective. And with Ferrari, there is the added pressure of national expectation.”

Zak Brown 'a big Fred fan'

Ferrari narrowly missed out on winning its first constructors' championship in 16 years last season as it was pipped to the post by McLaren.

Ferrari entered the current campaign with hopes of taking a step forward and competing for both F1 titles.

While the dream has failed to materialise, McLaren CEO Zak Brown pointed to Ferrari's achievements in 2024 as an example of what Vasseur can do at the forefront of a top team.

"I've known Fred for a long time, as we all have," said Brown. “I find him to be very sporting, so I enjoy racing against him. He's very technical. He's a racer.

“It’s hard to see from the outside looking in, but I'm a Fred fan. I think he does a good job and almost won the world championship last year. He was one pass away."