Former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe has jumped to the defence of Fred Vasseur as hypothesis over his F1 future grows.
In current weeks, Vasseur’s place at Ferrari has been questioned by Italian media shops, with former Pink Bull boss Christian Horner publicly voicing his curiosity in taking over the crew principal function on the squad.
Ferrari entered the 2026 marketing campaign hoping to area a aggressive automobile and problem for the F1 title, having not achieved championship success for the reason that 2008 season.
Nonetheless, bar a few race wins, it has not been capable of match the tempo of Mercedes, who look set for a convincing double-championship triumph.
With Vasseur’s future throughout the crew now seemingly much less assured, Hinchcliffe acknowledged it’s a part of the problem that comes with main the crew.
“It is the double-edged sword of being Ferrari,” Hinchcliffe informed the F1 Nation podcast.
“You’re the oldest, most tenured, most beloved, most revered crew on the grid.
“I do assume that they get undue criticism generally and perhaps undue reward on the similar time.”
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Vasseur good at ‘addressing the noise’ round Ferrari
Shortly after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, Ferrari issued an announcement during which it outlined that it had “full confidence” in Vasseur.
Whereas Ferrari has not been capable of make an impression within the championship battle since Vasseur took over in 2023, Hinchcliffe insisted the Frenchman has sparked constructive change.
He famous that Vasseur has been capable of instil a working tradition that’s not impacted by the fixed strain to ship that comes with Ferrari’s F1 standing.
“What Fred has been superb at is addressing the noise, however with the ability to block it out and shield the individuals internally.
“That is been one of many larger points in years previous and below completely different leaders, it seeps into the crew.
“Fred has finished a extremely good job at being the purpose guard there, being the gatekeeper to all of that noise, good and dangerous, and defending the crew, letting them get on with the job.”
