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Topics: Formula 1, Ferrari, Christian Horner, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc
James Taylor
Topics: Formula 1, Ferrari, Christian Horner, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has sent Christian Horner a 'message' amid the former Red Bull boss' continual links to Ferrari ahead of the Mexico Grand Prix.
It has been a difficult year for Vasseur and the Ferrari team, but there were signs of improvement at the United States Grand Prix.
Charles Leclerc secured the final spot on the podium, while Lewis Hamilton came home in fourth place.
The positive results meant the team climbed back into third in the Constructors' Championship, opening up a three-point gap over Red Bull.
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But the season has still been a challenging one for Ferrari, with the team yet to win a Grand Prix with only five races remaining.
It led to speculation that Ferrari president John Elkann could sack Vasseur, despite the team principal signing a new multi-year deal in July.
Horner is available, having left Red Bull earlier this year, where he won six Constructors' titles and eight Drivers' crowns over two decades with the team.
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Although the Briton is unable to return to Formula 1 until next spring, that has not brought an end to rumours linking him with the Scuderia.
Ahead of last weekend's US Grand Prix, Elkann voiced his support for Vasseur to continue as Ferrari boss.
And following the race, Vasseur expressed his gratitude for Elkann's backing.
He said: Obviously, I think for everybody it's good to have this kind of message.
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"But as we have a permanent contact, we already had the message which was more for the third party and external target."
Vasseur was then asked about the personal significance of Elkann's reassurance.
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The 57-year-old said: "It's important because, like this, you stop the discussion and you are focused on on the next one and not to reply to all the questions about this."
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Another individual who will be relieved Ferrari has quashed the rumours is seven-time world champion Hamilton.
The Briton has struggled in his first season at Ferrari, and admitted that uncertainty surrounding the team's management had been a distraction.
He said: "I don't know where the rumours have come from, so I can't really shed much light on that.
But it's a little bit distracting for us as a team. The team has made it clear where they stand in terms of re-signing Fred.
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"Fred and I and the whole team are working really hard on the future for the team. These things naturally aren't helpful."
After a positive weekend in Texas, Ferrari will be hopeful of continuing their promising run at the Mexican Grand Prix.
It is a circuit where they have enjoyed success in the past, with Carlos Sainz triumphant there last year.