The inexplicable Ferrari gene or when Fred Vasseur received the first envelope in his mailbox

Epigenetics studies inheritable changes in gene activity or expression that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence. For Ferrari and its entourage, no matter how the environment, era, or circumstances change, their unique genetic makeup remains unchanged. Once again, before the start of the Canadian Grand Prix , that distinctive gene was expressed again.

The Frenchman is beginning to live with Ferrari's constant environment, always under intense internal and external pressure. The latter is regularly exerted through a press that sometimes acts as media messengers, serving to send messages from on high, hence the constant reading between the lines of their messages. Vasseur has received the first envelope, the first warning, like a bullfighter who begins to fail to finish the job .

Thus, the same Italian media outlet that anticipated his appointment has warned him that his future is in jeopardy these days if the current results continue. The other rocket has touched the raw nerve that Charles Leclerc represents for the Ferrari world . And just as his name began to circulate as a replacement for Mattia Binotto —as it happened—a name with merits is included in that envelope as a possible replacement. We've already seen how Binotto ended up.

"Rumors are meaningless"

A couple of weeks ago, a strange rumor surfaced involving Christian Horner as a possible Ferrari boss. Denied by Horner himself at Montmeló, what initially seemed like a summer media scuttlebutt now makes more sense in the heat of two publications from two Italian media outlets.

Let's rewind to the 2022 Italian Grand Prix , where John Elkann issued a clear warning to Mattia Binotto . "We've seen that there are still many mistakes in terms of reliability, driving, and strategy. Trusting Binotto and his team was the right decision, and it has paid off. Thanks to them, we're competitive and winning again. But I'm not satisfied, because I think we can always do better ."

From that day on, the then Ferrari boss seemed doomed, knowing that Ferrari gene. The media took it upon themselves to prepare the ground. In mid-November, a journalist with good connections in the offices and a media outlet belonging to the group, La Gazzetta dello Sport, announced Binotto's dismissal. "Regarding the speculation in some media outlets about team principal Mattia Binotto, Ferrari states that these are rumors that are completely meaningless ," the Italian team officially denied. He was soon replaced by Vasseur.

"An exit door would open..."

"The next three Grands Prix, which will accompany the Reds from Montreal to Silverstone, via the Red Bull Ring, will be decisive, not so much for the current championship, now in the hands of McLaren, but for the next season and for the future of the team principal , whose contract with Maranello expires at the end of the year." That's how the Gazzetta dello Sport put it .

Surely, at the urging of a powerful party, the tone of the media's words. "To ensure the continuity of the project, it would be important for Vasseur himself to continue with the car that will be released in 2026, of which he is, in every respect, the father. However, if the results at the end of the year remain at the current level, an exit door would open for the director ." It's impossible not to guess a hand rocking the cradle.

To further tighten the screw, the name of Antonio Coletta was floated , the successful head of Ferrari in the World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, whose team has won both editions of the French race in which it has participated since its return to the category, all three events this season, and leads the championship.

Meanwhile, another second outlet was making a fuss. Il Corriere della Sera reported that Charles Leclerc was looking for a new destination due to his team's lack of power, fearing that the 2026 regulations wouldn't revive Ferrari either. They also highlighted the difficult situation of Hamilton, who hasn't fully integrated into his new team. Fred Vasseur and his drivers were having a good time in Canada .

"I have to stay calm because I'd have to deal with the marshals," declared an angry Vasseur upon arriving at the Montreal circuit, further delayed by his presence at Le Mans. "It's about some Italian media, not all of them. It's not about me, because I can handle that. It's more about the team members. Mentioning their names like that seems disrespectful to them, to the family. We already had the case last year with the head of aerodynamics. We had a few names this season. I don't know what the objective is," referring to the questioning of some of the newly arrived technicians. "Maybe it's to annoy the team, but in this case, I don't see the point."

Hamilton was the first to address these rumors at the official press conference for the Canadian Grand Prix. He was relieved to learn that the team had found a cause for his Ferrari's poor performance at Montmeló. "I found out before I arrived, so I haven't read the stories. It's not nice to hear stories like that ," explained the Briton, who is just beginning to get to know that Ferrari gene.

"First of all, I love working with Fred. He's the main reason I'm on this team and I had the opportunity to be here , so I'll be eternally grateful. We're in this together," the Briton concluded. "Things aren't perfect. But I'm here to work with the team and with Fred. I want Fred here. I think he's the right person to take us to the top. Period."

" For me, everything that's been written is nonsense . Most people don't know what's going on behind the scenes; it's not all easy. We have to make changes, and there's a lot of work to be done. Naturally, there's a lot of pressure because we want to win, but that's not part of the discussion right now ." Hamilton is starting to get a glimpse of how that pressure is brewing at Maranello.

The Briton took the opportunity to talk about his book : "To all those writing stories about me considering not racing. I've literally just started here at Ferrari . I've been here for several years and I'm here for a long time. I have no doubt about where my head is and what I'm trying to achieve with this team. So, don't have any doubts. Please stop making things up ."

Leclerc also had to deny the rumored infidelities with Ferrari. "I'm very surprised, I have no idea where [the rumor of a possible change] comes from , so I prefer to ignore it. I've never said anything about this in the last few races. In fact, I keep saying how much I love the team and how much I want Ferrari to return to the top. We have a shared vision, the three of us—Fred, Lewis, and I—to try to win again, and we're working to achieve it. This is our plan, and I think we should stick to it."

"We started the season thinking we had a chance to challenge McLaren and Red Bull for the championship, and so far, that hasn't been the case," the Monegasque driver admitted. That's why the first missiles of the Vasseur Era have begun to fly.