Fred Vasseur is moving into a new role within Scuderia Ferrari, taking on the positions of Team Principal and General Manager. The announcement confirmed that he will begin his duties on January 9, stepping into a leadership position that signals a major shift for Ferrari’s F1 program as it continues to build on its long-standing racing legacy.
With more than 25 years immersed in the world of motor sport, Vasseur brings a broad spectrum of experience. His career has traversed the spectrum from the junior categories up through Formula 1, and over the last decade he has been a central figure in Formula 1 management. During his time in the GP2 Series, he played a notable role in nurturing young talents who would later ascend to the top levels of the sport, helping to shape early fortunes for drivers who would go on to reach the pinnacle of Grand Prix racing.
Before joining Ferrari, Vasseur held the post of managing director and team principal at Sauber Motorsport, the organization known today as the Alfa Romeo F1 Team, a tenure that began in 2017. Prior to that, he served as team manager for Renault F1 Team in 2016, a period that further solidified his reputation for melding technical know-how with strategic leadership. His track record reflects a blend of engineering insight and a capacity to steer teams through the pressures and opportunities of elite motorsport.
Ferrari’s official communications stressed the magnitude of this leadership change. The team highlighted Vasseur’s readiness to lead, focusing on the passion for motorsport that has driven his career and the enduring appeal of Scuderia Ferrari as a symbol of racing excellence. The statement underscored a shared vision for restoring and expanding the team’s competitive edge, while honoring the storied history and heritage of Maranello. Executives said the appointment would energize the organization and bolster its efforts to deliver consistent performance on the track and progress in the development programs that support long-term success.
The reception across the organization and among Ferrari supporters reflected a sense of anticipation. The incoming leader was described as someone capable of uniting a talented group of engineers, strategists, technicians, and drivers around a common objective: to bring back the exhilaration and joy that the Scuderia’s fans around the world associate with the name Ferrari. The emphasis was on leadership that combines technical strength with the ability to draw out the best from every member of the team, from the workshop floor to the pit wall and beyond, into the broader ecosystem that fuels performance in Formula 1.
In discussing the transition, Ferrari’s management emphasized the importance of continuity and renewal. The company highlighted that Vasseur’s background—grounded in engineering expertise and proven leadership—aligns with Ferrari’s focus on pushing the development curve while maintaining a strong connection to the team’s racing heritage. The leadership change was framed as a strategic step toward sustaining momentum and driving a renewed energy across Ferrari’s operations, from car design and powertrain engineering to race strategy and driver development. The overarching aim is clear: to cultivate a competitive, reliable, and emotionally resonant program that resonates with tifosi worldwide.
The broader context of this leadership move included the previously announced departure of Mattia Binotto from his role as Ferrari’s team principal. While described internally as a strategic move during a challenging period, that decision set the stage for the subsequent introduction of Vasseur as the new head of Scuderia Ferrari. The transition is seen as part of Ferrari’s ongoing efforts to recalibrate its organizational structure, refresh its management bench, and sustain a high-performance trajectory across all aspects of Formula 1 competition. The focus remains on building a cohesive leadership framework that can guide the team through the evolving landscape of the sport while preserving the brand’s historical prestige and competitive ambitions.