Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has warned Ferrari not to repeat its historic mistake of quickly firing a leader if Fred Vasseur faces difficulties in 2026. The Ferrari boss is entering his fourth season with the team after a disappointing 2025, in which the Scuderia failed to achieve any GP victories and finished only fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.
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Vasseur, who took over the role in 2021, saw his team fail to meet its 2025 objectives, which led to frustration. Although Ferrari showed good performance in the 2026 pre-season tests, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton impressing, the pressure for results at the start of the new season is high. If the team’s performance continues to fall below expectations, Montoya believes Ferrari management might consider replacing the team principal.
However, the Colombian advises the Scuderia to have patience with Vasseur, even if 2026 is not perfect: “The question is, if it doesn’t work, is it his fault?” Montoya asked. “Ferrari has this big problem of always firing the ‘big guy’ when things don’t work. They need to build, not destroy,” the former driver stated.
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Montoya highlighted the importance of a stable environment, citing the example of teams like McLaren and Mercedes, which he says know how to win and lose together, without blame. The former driver called on Ferrari to abandon the mentality of seeking a ‘head on a platter’ when things don’t go well, and to allow Vasseur to continue his long-term building work.
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