Vasseur Admits Underestimating the Impact of Hamilton’s Move to Ferrari
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has acknowledged that both he and Lewis Hamilton “stupidly” underestimated the magnitude of the challenge that the British driver’s arrival at the Italian team would entail. The expectation generated by Hamilton’s signing for Ferrari has not translated into immediate success. The seven-time world champion has yet to reach the podium with the team. During a complicated Hungarian Grand Prix, a disheartened Hamilton suggested that Ferrari “probably needs to change drivers”. He also added that “there are many things happening in the background… That is not good”. Vasseur, who was key in hiring Hamilton from Mercedes, has defended his driver’s performance.
“McLaren was Mercedes, and then it went to Mercedes: an English team, a German company operating from England, the same engine engineers, the same culture, etc.” “So he was 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 for 60 million pounds sterling a year, which will keep him at Ferrari until the end of 2026. The English driver, statistically the best in Formula 1 history, 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,” declared Vasseur.
Fred Vasseur
