Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, has commented on Lewis Hamilton’s current difficulties in Formula 1, asserting that the seven-time world champion tends to overstate the challenges he faces. After switching from Mercedes to Ferrari this year, Hamilton has struggled to find consistency throughout the 2025 season, frequently voicing his dissatisfaction with both his performance and the team’s overall pace. However, Vasseur, speaking in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, downplayed the severity of Hamilton’s complaints, emphasizing that the issues are smaller than they appear.
Vasseur explained that the team addresses problems incrementally, and while there are setbacks like braking system nuances causing slight time losses, these are typically measured in fractions of a second. Such marginal deficits, though hard to pinpoint, can significantly affect race outcomes by splitting qualifying sessions by mere tenths of a second.
“Lewis sometimes exaggerates the problems he sees in the car. The team then naturally wants to react and everyone jumps on this problem,”
Vasseur remarked, highlighting the driver’s tendency to amplify the situation.
Hamilton’s Struggles and His State of Mind During the Break
Despite Vasseur’s reassurance, Hamilton’s performance has remained underwhelming, as he has yet to land a podium finish in 14 Grands Prix this season with Ferrari. The driver has appeared visibly frustrated, especially after a poor qualifying session at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he described himself as “useless” and even suggested that the team might benefit from someone else behind the wheel. This admission resonated with several prominent figures in F1 who have publicly suggested Hamilton consider retirement before his results deteriorate further.
Currently 40 years old, Hamilton has taken some respite from the high-pressure environment during the F1 summer shutdown, seeking to regroup away from the spotlight. Yet, the focus will soon return as he prepares for the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, ready to tackle another opportunity to improve his campaign.
Upcoming Challenges as Hamilton Aims to Recover Form
As the season moves forward, the expectations are high for Hamilton to rebound and regain competitiveness with Ferrari. His struggles not only reflect on his personal form but also influence the team’s position in the championship battle. Vasseur’s comments suggest a degree of patience within the Scuderia, but also indicate that managing perceptions and driver feedback remains critical for progress. How Hamilton responds in Zandvoort and the remaining races will be crucial in determining whether he can overcome this difficult period or if the calls for change will grow louder.
