Ferrari boss issues x-rated response to claims he could be SACKED amid team's struggles and Lewis Hamilton's terrible start to £60m-a-year deal
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- Italian media have suggested Fred Vasseur's future is in serious doubt
- Frenchman is under pressure as the Scuderia have endured poor campaign
Fred Vasseur called reports in the Italian media questioning his future as Ferrari team principal 'disrespectful'.
The Frenchman, who is close to Lewis Hamilton and was backed by his star driver on Thursday, said detractors were giving 's*** to the team' to destabilise them.
Speaking ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, he added: 'This is clearly hurting the team.
'Perhaps it is their (the reporters') only way to exist, and that is more likely the reason for the stories.
'I know I have to expect pressure as team principal but to question whether other people are going to be replaced, when they have families and kids, is very hard.'
Vasseur is under scrutiny because Ferrari are way off the pace set by McLaren, though still lie second in the constructors' standings heading into this weekend's race alongside Montreal's Olympic rowing lake.
'The mood in the team is very good,' he insisted. 'People are spreading things, and they need to show a bit of respect.
'I will speak to the journalists on Monday morning.'
It must be emphasised that Ferrari are notoriously trigger-happy and president John Elkann is unlikely to allow the situation to go unrepaired for long. Vasseur, in his third season at the Scuderia, must know by now that Maranello is always whisper-laced.
Ferrari's weekend was not helped by Charles Leclerc, who has also been reported to crave a move (which Vasseur dismissed), crashing in first practice. 'Sorry,' said the Monegasque, who was unhurt.
He did, however, sit out the second session with chassis damage.
