Vasseur Admits Underestimation of Hamilton Challenge at Ferrari
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has acknowledged that both he and Lewis Hamilton “stupidly” underestimated the magnitude of the challenge the British driver would face when joining the team. The expectation generated by Hamilton’s signing for Ferrari has not translated into the expected results, as the seven-time world champion has yet to reach the podium with the Italian team. During a difficult Hungarian Grand Prix, a disheartened Hamilton suggested that Ferrari “probably needs to change drivers.” He also added that “there are many things going on in the background… That’s not good.” Vasseur, who was key in hiring Hamilton from Mercedes, has defended his driver’s performance.
Lewis Hamilton alongside Fred Vasseur at Ferrari at the beginning of this season.
Vasseur pointed out the magnitude of the change for Hamilton.“McLaren was Mercedes, and then moved to Mercedes: an English team [a German company operating from England], the same engine engineers, the same culture, etc.” “So it went from 2006 to 2024, 18 years, in this environment, and then he arrived at Ferrari. And stupidly we expected him to have everything under control.” Hamilton’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, has been on the podium five times this season. Hamilton signed a contract worth £60 million (81 million dollars) per year, which will take him until the end of 2026. The Briton, statistically the best driver in Formula 1 history, said from the start that he was looking at the next season, when a complete change of F1 cars comes into effect thanks to a new set of rules, for his challenge for the championship.“Lewis and I, collectively, probably underestimated the change of environment, and the fact that he spent, for me, 20 years on the same team,” said Vasseur.
Fred Vasseur
