In a stunning twist following the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Ferrari Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur has reportedly expressed his desire to terminate his contract with the legendary Italian team — sending shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock.

After what insiders are calling “one of Ferrari’s most chaotic race weekends in recent years,” Vasseur’s post-race comments have fueled intense speculation about his future with the team. The tipping point? Ferrari’s high-profile signing, Lewis Hamilton, suffered a disastrous race performance, finishing well outside of the points in Jeddah, while internal tensions reportedly reached a breaking point.

“This Is Not What I Signed Up For”

In the post-race interview zone, Vasseur was caught by Sky Italia microphones saying a bold seven-word statement:
“This is not what I signed up for.”

While he did not elaborate immediately, that phrase — now making waves across social media and international sports headlines — appears to signal deep dissatisfaction with Ferrari’s current trajectory, especially following months of mounting pressure, strategic failures, and driver misalignment.

Hamilton’s Nightmare Weekend

Expectations were sky-high entering the 2025 season, especially after Hamilton’s dramatic switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, a move that was seen as a final push for his elusive 8th world title. But the dream quickly turned into a nightmare in Saudi Arabia.

Hamilton struggled in qualifying, started from P12, and failed to gain meaningful ground during the race. A combination of poor tire strategy, miscommunication with engineers, and what he later described as “a car that feels like it’s fighting me” left him fuming and frustrated.

Post-race, Hamilton remained diplomatic but visibly disheartened:

“We just didn’t have the pace. I gave it everything, but something isn’t working. I don’t know what the solution is, but we need to find it — fast.”

Mounting Pressure on Vasseur

Since taking over as Ferrari Team Principal in early 2023, Frédéric Vasseur has faced intense scrutiny. While he brought a sense of calm and clarity to the chaotic leadership structure post-Binotto era, results have not lived up to the Tifosi’s high expectations. And with the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, the pressure to deliver skyrocketed.

The 2025 car — the SF-25 — was heavily promoted as Ferrari’s “redemption machine,” but two races into the season, the team looks off-pace compared to Red Bull, McLaren, and even Aston Martin.

Now, Vasseur reportedly feels he no longer has full control over sporting decisions, especially with Hamilton’s camp allegedly clashing with Ferrari’s long-established systems.

What Happens Next?

Sources close to the paddock suggest that Vasseur has already held informal talks with Ferrari chairman John Elkann, expressing his frustration with internal politics and performance inconsistencies. While no official resignation has been submitted, insiders believe Vasseur is “seriously considering walking away before the mid-season break.”

If he steps down, it would send Ferrari into yet another leadership crisis — their fifth major shakeup in less than a decade.

F1 World Reacts

Former F1 world champion Jenson Button commented on the situation:

“Vasseur is a racer, and he’s honest. If he’s saying this now, it’s serious. Ferrari’s got the talent, the budget, and arguably the greatest driver of all time. But something clearly isn’t clicking.”

Fans have also taken to social media, expressing concern and frustration. Many are calling for organizational reform within Ferrari, while others are already speculating about who could take Vasseur’s place — names like Laurent Mekies, Andreas Seidl, and even Ross Brawn have been floated.

Conclusion

As Ferrari finds itself once again under the spotlight for the wrong reasons, the future of Frédéric Vasseur — and perhaps even Ferrari’s 2025 title hopes — hangs in the balance. Whether his seven-word statement marks the beginning of the end or a rallying cry for change, one thing is clear:

All is not well in Maranello.