Former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe has jumped to the defence of Fred Vasseur as speculation over his F1 future grows.
In recent weeks, Vasseur's position at Ferrari has been questioned by Italian media outlets, with former Red Bull boss Christian Horner publicly voicing his interest in taking on the team principal role at the squad.
Ferrari entered the 2026 campaign hoping to field a competitive car and challenge for the F1 title, having not achieved championship success since the 2008 season.
However, bar a couple of race wins, it has not been able to match the pace of Mercedes, who look set for a convincing double-championship triumph.
With Vasseur's future within the team now seemingly less assured, Hinchcliffe stated it is part of the challenge that comes with leading the team.
"It's the double-edged sword of being Ferrari," Hinchcliffe told the F1 Nation podcast.
"You are the oldest, most tenured, most beloved, most revered team on the grid.
"I do think that they get undue criticism sometimes and maybe undue praise at the same time."
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Vasseur good at 'addressing the noise' around Ferrari
Shortly after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, Ferrari issued a statement in which it outlined that it had "full confidence" in Vasseur.
While Ferrari has not been able to make an impact in the championship fight since Vasseur took over in 2023, Hinchcliffe insisted the Frenchman has sparked positive change.
He noted that Vasseur has been able to instil a working culture that is not impacted by the constant pressure to deliver that comes with Ferrari's F1 status.
"What Fred has been very good at is addressing the noise, but being able to block it out and protect the people internally.
"That's been one of the bigger issues in years past and under different leaders, it seeps into the team.
"Fred has done a really good job at being the point guard there, being the gatekeeper to all of that noise, good and bad, and protecting the team, letting them get on with the job."
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding as they look back on the Azerbaijan GP but also look ahead to F1's return this weekend to Malaysia! Rumours linking Christian Horner with a return to the sport is a major talking point.
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