Ferrari released an official statement revealing that the 58-year-old Frenchman would not be present at the Circuit de Monaco due to medical reasons. According to the Scuderia, Vasseur is currently “under observation at a local medical facility” following medical checks carried out earlier in the day. The Italian team, however, did not disclose further details regarding his condition.
The development comes at a critical stage of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, especially after Ferrari showed outstanding pace during Friday’s practice sessions. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc topped the timing sheets across the opening practice sessions, raising hopes that Ferrari could challenge strongly for pole position and potentially secure their first win of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Vasseur’s sudden absence has instantly become one of the biggest talking points of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, with many in the Formula 1 community sending messages of support and wishing him a speedy recovery.
Ferrari is currently fighting to close the gap on Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship, and Monaco was seen as one of the team’s best opportunities to make a major statement this season. The street circuit’s tight and technical layout appeared to suit Ferrari’s SF-26 package perfectly, especially after the team’s dominant pace on Friday.
In Vasseur’s absence, Ferrari deputy team principal Jerome d’Ambrosio is expected to oversee operations for qualifying and the remainder of Saturday’s activities in Monte Carlo.
Before the medical situation emerged, Vasseur had remained cautious despite Ferrari’s strong practice performances. Speaking on Friday, the Ferrari boss insisted that the team would not get carried away by early pace, emphasizing that Monaco qualifying remains the true test of competitiveness.
The Monaco Grand Prix remains one of Formula 1’s most prestigious races, with qualifying often deciding the outcome due to the difficulty of overtaking around the narrow street circuit. Ferrari fans will now hope the team can maintain its momentum while awaiting further positive updates on Vasseur’s health.
As the Formula 1 world watches closely, Ferrari supporters across the globe will be hoping for both a strong qualifying performance and a swift recovery for their team principal.