Vasseur on Ferrari extension: Formula 1 the best place to learn humility

The Vasseur announcement comes at an interesting time in the Formula 1 paddock, with Red Bull recently parting ways with long-time team boss Christian Horner, someone Ferrari bosses have approached more than once to take charge at Maranello.

But the position remains Vasseur’s, and speaking in Budapest ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, the Frenchman reflected on the importance of clarity and continuity as Ferrari seeks to rejoin the fight at the front.

Of his new deal with Ferrari, Vasseur told F1 TV: “I think it's a good step in the process. There were some rumours in the press over the last couple of weeks. It's not easy for the stability of the team and for the mood of the team, but now this is behind us. It's important. It's a good step.

“We have to be ready for the last part of the season, as we are fighting for the championship with McLaren and Red Bull, and we want to win some races until the end," insisted Vasseur.

Now into his third season in charge, Vasseur believes Ferrari is steadily building a stronger foundation, even if that progress is not always immediately visible: “All the great success stories took time before the first win. I think overall, we are improving.

"We are improving in our approach, in our methodology, in our processes. Sometimes it’s not visible on track from day to day, but overall, we are taking steps forward. It’s no secret that Ferrari wants to win again. That’s the target, and the goal is very, very clear, and we’ll put everything into achieving it.”

Asked what he has learned since taking the helm, Vasseur was candid about the pressure and volatility of leading Ferrari, the sport's most supported team: “I think Formula 1 is the best place to learn humility first, because you have to start from scratch each session.

"You can do well one weekend, and the next weekend you have to start again. Part of my job is to manage the emotions - both the positives and the negatives - and stay level. That’s probably the most important lesson.”

The Ferrari boss also praised his driver pairing, with Lewis Hamilton still adapting to life at Ferrari and Charles Leclerc weathering the storm of a challenging season: “I think perhaps we underestimated the challenge for Lewis at the beginning of the season.

"He spent 10 years with McLaren, and then 10 years with Mercedes. It was a huge change for Lewis, in terms of culture, the people around him, the software, the car, every single topic was a big change. But I’m very, very pleased, because in the last four or five races, he has been back on pace.”

On Leclerc, Vasseur added: “In this kind of season, when you have a lot of expectation and you struggle at the beginning, it’s not easy for Charles and it’s not easy for the team. It’s very easy to give up, but he never gave up. That’s very positive, because it’s in this kind of situation and journey that you see people’s true reactions.”

With Ferrari currently second in the 2025 F1 Constructors’ Championship and the summer break looming, Vasseur’s contract extension brings much-needed stability. But the challenge now is clear: turn progress into victories before the season ends.

Fittingly, Charles Leclerc put Ferrari on pole position for the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix. A sweet, unexpected celebration of Vasseur's new deal, a win today would make it even sweeter and a signal of intent for the future.