Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has returned to the Formula 1 paddock for Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix after missing Saturday’s qualifying session due to a medical issue that required hospitalization. The 58-year-old Frenchman was present at the Circuit de Monaco on Friday to witness his team’s dominant one-two finish in both practice sessions, but was forced to skip qualifying for health reasons.
Ferrari issued an official statement explaining Vasseur’s absence: “Fred Vasseur will not be at the circuit today. Following some medical checks, Fred will remain under observation at a local medical facility. No further medical information will be provided. We wish Fred a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back at the track soon.” The team principal, who assumed leadership of Ferrari at the beginning of 2023, was back in his usual position overseeing race preparations on Sunday morning.
Despite entering the weekend as championship favorites, Ferrari failed to capitalize on their practice pace during qualifying. Charles Leclerc appeared destined for pole position at his home circuit but crashed at the Tabac corner on his final qualifying attempt, ultimately securing fourth place on the grid. The Monegasque driver, who recently signed a contract extension with Ferrari, will start alongside Lewis Hamilton on the second row of Sunday’s grid.
Hamilton, making his Ferrari debut season, qualified third behind Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who claimed pole position. The seven-time world champion acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating: “We know how these races go. It’s very difficult. I don’t think there’s overtaking. I hope that we can get a really good start and maybe apply some pressure to the two. It’s going to be very hard to beat these two.” Ferrari has not secured a grand prix victory since the Mexican Grand Prix in October 2024, adding pressure for Hamilton to deliver his first win in Ferrari colors.