Fred Vasseur handed Ferrari 'next scapegoat' warning

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has warned Fred Vasseur that he is at risk of being Ferrari's "next scapegoat" and blamed for any of the outfit's wrongdoings. 

Ferrari has endured a difficult start to the season and is the only top-four team yet to secure a grand prix victory – Lewis Hamilton claimed the sprint win in Shanghai. 

Despite ongoing problems with its SF-25 and general consistent complaints from both Charles Leclerc and Hamilton, the Maranello-based squad finds itself 16 points adrift of second-place Mercedes in the constructors' title. 

Due to its recent struggles, team principal Vasseur has been increasingly in the spotlight, and found himself addressing reports from Italian media that his job is at risk. 

Vasseur stressed the Italian media reports were inaccurate and that he is not set to be axed; however, Steiner cannot help but feel the Frenchman is under increasing pressure. 

Ferrari has become renowned in recent years for making rash and fast decisions when the expectations of chairman John Elkann are not being met.

"If we look at history, I think we can see he will be the next scapegoat," Steiner told the Red Flags podcast. "I don't know the press involved in this, I think, end of last week. 

"So I don't know how true this story is, if it is true, but for sure, he's under pressure. It's Ferrari. If you don't win in three years, they put the pressure on to you. 

"I don't know how serious it is that they want to get rid of him. I have no idea about that one, but I think, now they are not second anymore, but when this was written about Fred, they were still second in the world championship. 

"It's not perfect, because perfect is number one. I know that. But it's not really bad. I wouldn't say it is good, I'm not saying it's really good."