Vasseur Admits Underestimation in Hamilton’s Adaptation to Ferrari
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has acknowledged that both he and Lewis Hamilton “stupidly” underestimated the magnitude of the challenge involved in the British driver’s arrival at the Italian team. The expectation generated by Hamilton’s signing for Ferrari has not materialized in the expected results during this season, as the seven-time world champion has yet to reach the podium with the team. During a complicated Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton suggested that Ferrari “probably needs to change drivers.” Furthermore, he added that “there are many things happening in the background… That’s not good.” Vasseur, who was key in hiring Hamilton from Mercedes, has defended his driver’s performance.
Lewis Hamilton with Fred Vasseur at Ferrari at the beginning of this season.
Vasseur highlighted the magnitude of the change Hamilton was facing.“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 pounds sterling a year that will keep him at Ferrari until the end of 2026. The British driver, statistically considered the best in the history of Formula 1, stated from the beginning that his goal is next season, when a complete change in F1 cars will come into effect thanks to a new regulation, to fight 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,” commented Vasseur.
Fred Vasseur
