Frederic Vasseur has spoken about the challenges facing Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari after the seven-time Formula 1 champion said the team ‘probably needs to change driver’
Frederic Vasseur moved to take some of the pressure off Lewis Hamilton’s shoulders after the Brit labelled himself “useless”. The seven-time Formula 1 champion was extremely self-critical after a poor showing in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hamilton often wears his heart on his sleeve and, amid his qualifying struggles over the last couple of years, has often shouldered the blame. But he produced one of his most difficult-to-watch interviews to date in the Budapest media pen when he told Sky Sports that Ferrari “probably need to change driver”.
The 40-year-old found it particularly tough to see team-mate Charles Leclerc put the other Ferrari on pole, while he could only find enough speed for 12th on the grid for the Budapest race. “The team has no problem, the other car is on pole,” he muttered.
Getting Hamilton’s head back into a good place is a vital job for team principal Vasseur. And he began that process when speaking to Italian television, telling the sister channel to Sky Sports that it is natural for someone to struggle coming into Ferrari having spent so long with Mercedes machinery.
“He spent 20 years in the same environment,” said the Frenchman. “It is a huge change. The car cannot cope with his driving style yet. But I want both cars fighting for podiums.”
Most of the speculation surrounding Ferrari of late has not been around Hamilton’s future, but that of his boss. Some sections of the Italian press in particular have spent recent weeks reporting that Vasseur’s place was at risk and that the team were lining up potential replacements.
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But Ferrari put an end to those rumours this week by handing the Frenchman a new multi-year contract extension. “Fred joined the Scuderia at the beginning of 2023, bringing with him extensive motorsport experience and a proven ability to develop talent and build competitive teams across all levels of racing,” a statement read.
“Since then, he has laid a solid foundation with the ambition of returning Ferrari to the top of Formula 1. Renewing Fred’s contract reflects Ferrari’s determination to build on the foundations laid so far. His ability to lead under pressure, embrace innovation, and pursue performance aligns fully with Ferrari’s values and long-term ambitions.
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“Under Fred’s leadership, Scuderia Ferrari HP is united, focused, and committed to continuous improvement. The trust placed in him reflects the team’s confidence in its strategic direction and reinforces a shared determination to deliver the results that Ferrari’s fans, drivers, and team members expect and deserve.”
It was a popular decision with both the team’s drivers, who had publicly given the boss their backing in response to the speculation around his future. “I am still trying to learn the way he works, but I have absolute confidence in Fred, as I have always said,” was Hamilton’s reaction to the news.
