Ferrari has announced that deputy team principal Jerome D’Ambrosio will fill in for Vasseur, citing personal reasons for the Frenchman’s absence. Ferrari stated: “Fred won’t be at the track today as he has to go home for personal reasons.”
“Jerome d’Ambrosio, the deputy team principal, will take his place.”
So far, the Austrian Grand Prix has been favorable for Ferrari, with the team showing good responses following a quiet beginning for the updated SF-25. Qualifying turned out to be much more promising than practice, with Charles Leclerc earning a front row spot next to the dominant polesitter Lando Norris, and Lewis Hamilton clocking a time just a tenth off his Ferrari teammate to claim P4 on the grid. With Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in P7, Ferrari has an opportunity to gain some points against Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, as they compete with Mercedes for P2.
Verstappen was the target of a playful jab from Hamilton following qualifying, as Austria is the last race where Verstappen is just one point away from a race ban, with two penalty points that will be removed from his FIA Super Licence after the Austrian Grand Prix. Verstappen accumulated 11 points following an incident with Mercedes’ George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix, a contentious clash between the two that led to three points for Verstappen. When asked by the media, such as PlanetF1.com, about the tendency for “people to collide” while competing for the lead at the Austrian GP, Hamilton quipped: “Max isn’t up there, so…
“I definitely won’t run into anyone, that’s certain.”
Verstappen is in P3 in the current Drivers’ Championship rankings, three spots and 76 points ahead of Hamilton.
Ferrari’s unexpected leadership change for the Austrian weekend comes at a critical moment in the season. With Vasseur absent, all eyes will be on D’Ambrosio, who joined Ferrari earlier this year after a stint with Mercedes and brings race management experience from his time at Venturi in Formula E. His handling of team operations and strategy during the race could prove pivotal in converting Ferrari’s strong qualifying into valuable points.
The SF-25, which has undergone a series of updates since the Spanish Grand Prix, showed promise at the Red Bull Ring after a subdued performance in early practice sessions. Leclerc’s ability to line up alongside McLaren’s Norris reflects the effectiveness of those upgrades, particularly in terms of qualifying pace. Ferrari has struggled at times this season to convert strong practice and qualifying form into race-day performance, but the potential for a strong haul of points is significant if Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz can maintain or improve their positions during the Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, Sainz will be looking to capitalize on his own solid qualifying performance to support the team’s push for a double points finish. With Red Bull appearing slightly off the pace this weekend and Mercedes threatening to leapfrog Ferrari in the Constructors’ standings, Sunday’s race will carry significant implications for the championship fight.
The situation with Verstappen adds another layer of intrigue to the race weekend. The Dutch driver is skating on thin ice, with 11 penalty points on his Super Licence—just one short of a race ban. The points are set to expire after the Austrian Grand Prix, meaning Verstappen must drive a clean race to avoid a suspension that would deeply impact Red Bull’s campaign. His recent on-track clash with Russell in Spain has stirred debate among fans and pundits about the stewards’ consistency and the aggressive racing style Verstappen often employs.
Hamilton’s comments, while lighthearted, hint at the intensity and history of his rivalry with Verstappen, dating back to their dramatic 2021 title fight. With Hamilton qualifying just behind Leclerc and showing strong pace in his Mercedes, the seven-time world champion could be a factor in the fight for the podium, if not the win.
As the race weekend continues, all teams are on high alert. With weather conditions expected to play a role and the potential for strategic gambles on tyre wear and pit stops, the Austrian Grand Prix is shaping up to be one of the most consequential and unpredictable races of the 2025 Formula 1 season so far.
