Red Mist: Renewed Elkann support of Vasseur crucial for Ferrari

While Ferrari’s raceday performance at Austin was, let’s say pleasing, what went down off the track was most significant. First off, Ferrari chairman John Elkann finally made a stand behind the Team, praising Capo Fred and the Lads. And then Capo Fred and the Lads pulled a tactical masterclass to drag that donkey of a SF-25 to third and fourth.

“I want to express our full confidence in our team principal, Fred Vasseur, and in the work he is carrying out together with all our colleagues at Scuderia Ferrari, the mechanics, engineers, and drivers in Austin," the Agnelli scion confirmed. "I also want to reaffirm the importance of teamwork by everyone to maintain focus on the only goal that matters in always giving our very best on the track.”

A rare statement of trust by the Big Man, it went down very well, quelling idiot murmuring about a certain incoming Red Bull reject and allowing the Team to come together, for once, and believe in itself. So much so, Vasseur reiterated, “For everybody it's good to have this kind of message."

“I have a permanent contact, so we already had the message,” Fred elaborated. “So this is more for that third party. It is also important because like this, we stop the discussion and we can now focus on the next race and no longer need to reply to all the questions.”

As Red Mist has reiterated on several occasions of late, the problem at Ferrari in 2025 is not in its leadership or the team. It’s in the car. Ferrari has done little wrong off the track and on days like Sunday, it’s even dragged that bucket of bolts onto the podium.

If anything, Ferrari has enjoyed a far better season as a team than McLaren, which seems absolutely intent on stealing defeat from the jaws of victory. And Red Bull with one driver and a fired team boss. So much so that Maranello sits in the middle of a fight for second in the championship, six points behind Mercedes and three clear of one-man show, Red Bull.

“Everyone, here at the track and back in the factory is working incredibly hard,” Lewis Hamilton added. “So for me, it's really about trying to keep the focus on the goal and build a foundation this year so next year's car is better executed for better overall performance."

“Too many people speak of things that do not come from actual facts and that's just a little bit annoying,” Charles Leclerc reiterated. “So this makes it easier, gives us focus and stops people speaking nonsense. Whenever the results are not there, then those rumours come back. So as a driver, as a team, we've just got to focus on our things. “

Getting back on track in Austin, Vasseur pointed out: “We had a difficult Friday and a good recovery over the weekend. Our pace on was decent on Sunday, we were aggressive on strategy and in the end it paid off. It was brave from Charles and the team and a good result. Now we can attack Mexico in a much better shape." Bring it on!