Ferrari speak out over Charles Leclerc exit rumours

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is at a loss to explain the speculation surrounding Charles Leclerc and his purported desire to seek pastures new in F1. 

The embattled Frenchman is dealing with intense scrutiny over his own future at the Maranello-based squad, with various reports he could be on the way out - as well as the understanding Ferrari CEO John Elkann met with Christian Horner over switching to the Scuderia, something the Red Bull boss insists he is not interesting in pursuing.

Vasseur has also been dealing with what he feels has been an over-critical Italian media of late, which he admonished over the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.

But when it comes to Leclerc, the 56-year-old admits he does not know what the Italian team has to do to prevent the rumours circulating.

Taking a question about his own future, and the impact that could have on his two drivers, he turned it into an opportunity to address Leclerc's.

"It’s a good example to speak about Charles," he told media including RacingNews365. "Charles has a long-term contract with us.

"Every single interview from the beginning of the season, he’s telling that he wants to stay with Ferrari. He wants to win with Ferrari. His future is with Ferrari.

"But every single Monday, we have an article telling that, 'Charles will go next year', 'Charles will…'

"At one stage, I don’t know what we have to do. I’m sorry - I can’t repeat every single weekend the same things. But it is like it is."

Vasseur: 'We have a clear target'

Ferrari has endured a disappointing start to the F1 season. Heading into the campaign, it had grand designs on a first championship since 2008, but that possibility is fading rapidly.

Despite gradual improvement over the opening 10 rounds, the team's underwhelming form is well short of the expectations set by finishing a close second to McLaren in the 2024 constructors' standings.

Currently third this term, the Prancing Horse is already 191 points adrift of the Woking-based squad. However, Vasseur is happy with the team he has in place - and the drivers fronting that operation.

"Now, with Lewis and Charles, I think we have a good relationship altogether," he added. We have a clear target. We know that we have to work. We know that we have to push.

"But the mood in the team is very good. And that’s the basis if you want to recover and to win. Everything is there. Everything is on the table to do a good job, and altogether, we are working well."