Key Highlights:
- Charles Leclerc has removed all social media applications from his phone to avoid rumours surrounding Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur.
- Leclerc said the speculation is affecting Ferrari’s internal serenity, even though the team has limited control over it.
- Ferrari management has publicly backed Vasseur, while Leclerc described him as highly capable and valuable to the team.
Charles Leclerc Disconnects From Social Media Amid Ferrari Rumours
Charles Leclerc has deleted all social media applications from his phone as speculation continues over Fred Vasseur’s position as Ferrari team principal. Leclerc said the move was intended to block out external “silly rumours” surrounding the Ferrari leadership.
The speculation about Vasseur’s future at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters recently led him to acknowledge, after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, that the team was not operating with its usual “serenity”. Asked about the impact of the rumours during media day ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, Leclerc said he had personally disconnected from the gossip but accepted that it was still affecting the team.
“Honestly, me personally, I took off everything that is social media,” Leclerc said. “So I don’t see much of what’s going on around. But of course, you hear about what’s going around and many people from the team know what’s going around, and that is not good for the serenity of the team, for sure.
“But at the end of the day, this is something that we have little control over, and we’ve got to maximise our results anyway.”
Ferrari Management Backs Fred Vasseur
Ferrari management has released a statement in support of Vasseur as speculation about his position has grown. Leclerc also offered a strong defence of the Ferrari team principal, highlighting both their personal relationship and Vasseur’s contribution to the organisation.
“I’ve always said how much I trust Fred and how important he is for the team,” Leclerc continued. “We have a very special relationship, but other than that, I think he’s extremely capable in what he does. And I think he’s been extremely valuable so far, and he will be extremely valuable in the years to come as well.
Leclerc said there had never been doubt within Ferrari over Vasseur’s backing, although he acknowledged that the team sometimes needed to communicate that support publicly. For Leclerc, the internal position was more important than the external discussion.
“And for the support, there was never any doubt inside the team that he has all of our support. Then sometimes it’s needed to make it clear to the outside world as well. But to me, that doesn’t really matter. I know where we stand inside the team, and that’s the most important thing.
“I just wish that sometimes there were less of these silly rumours going around.”
Why This Matters for Ferrari
The comments underline the effect that continued speculation about Ferrari’s leadership can have beyond public debate. While Leclerc said the team has limited control over the rumours, he indicated that their circulation among Ferrari personnel can disrupt the serenity needed to focus on performance and maximise results.
Ferrari’s public support for Fred Vasseur, combined with Leclerc’s comments, places emphasis on stability within the team. The immediate focus remains on achieving stronger results while Ferrari manages the external attention surrounding its team principal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Charles Leclerc delete social media applications?
Leclerc said he removed all social media applications from his phone so he would not see the rumours surrounding Fred Vasseur and Ferrari.
What did Leclerc say about the impact of the rumours?
Leclerc said the rumours were affecting Ferrari’s serenity because team members were aware of what was being discussed, although he added that the team had limited control over the situation.
Does Charles Leclerc support Fred Vasseur?
Yes. Leclerc said he trusts Vasseur, described him as extremely capable and valuable to Ferrari, and said Vasseur had the team’s support.
