Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene has called on critics and the media to let the team "work in peace" after its recent downturn in form and following speculation about a big overhaul at Maranello.
Ferrari is yet to win a race in 11 attempts this season despite high expectations of fighting Mercedes coming into 2016, with recent races suggesting it will now be in a fight with Red Bull for second in the championship. In the past weeks there have been various rumours circulating, with Arrivabene's job reportedly under threat and technical director James Allison being linked with a return to Renault.
Ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix Red Bull boss Christian Horner suggested Sebastian Vettel's frustrations at Ferrari's stagnated progress would lead him to move to Mercedes in 2018. Those reports follow months of speculation about Kimi Raikkonen's future, which Ferrari ended by signing him to a one-year contract extension ahead of the British Grand Prix.
Arrivabene thinks all the speculation is distracting Ferrari from the task at hand.
"Seb never said that he didn't like the atmosphere at Ferrari, he confirmed it many, many times that he's comfortable," Arrivabene said. "Two months ago everyone was asking continued questions about Kimi and his contract. After Kimi, it was my turn, it's every day, every week and for the next few months because Allison was taking my job, if I'm not wrong!
"Then we confirmed Kimi and now they are talking about Vettel and that he is leaving. Most probably I'm going to take his job and then he's coming back to take mine! So let us work in peace, please."
Ferrari is now just one point ahead of Red Bull in the constructors' championship. By contrast, it is 154 points behind Mercedes. Raikkonen and Vettel now sit fourth and fifth respectively in the drivers' championship, one place behind Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo.