Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has publicly urged the media to cease their harsh criticism of Lewis Hamilton, emphasizing that the challenges faced by Ferrari and their driver in the current season are part of a natural process. Hamilton’s debut year with Ferrari has been difficult, with the SF-25 failing to compete for the championship and Hamilton’s best finish so far being fourth place at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola.
Hamilton’s performance and his working relationship with race engineer Ricciardo Adami have been under intense scrutiny. Notably, Hamilton’s ironic remark during the Miami GP—telling Adami to “take a tea break”—went viral, highlighting tensions within the team. Despite this, Vasseur stressed that the constant negative media attention is unfair, urging patience as Hamilton adapts to new challenges.
Vasseur Calls for Understanding Over Hamilton’s Struggles
Fred Vasseur spoke to the media after the Emilia-Romagna GP, urging the press to reconsider their relentless focus on Hamilton’s setbacks. He insisted that labeling Hamilton as either a “disaster” or a “magician” from one race to the next misrepresents the reality of driver development.
“It is clear that communication can improve, and we have to help him feel more and more at ease. But even Charles [Leclerc], even today, improves weekend after weekend. It is a normal process that all drivers go through, trying to improve themselves.”
—Fred Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal
Vasseur highlighted that even Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s other driver, continues to develop throughout the season, suggesting that fluctuating performance is typical for all drivers as they seek progress.
Challenges Facing Ferrari and Hamilton in the 2025 Season
Despite Vasseur’s defense, Ferrari currently faces a significant pace deficit compared to rival teams such as Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren. This gap was evident last weekend when both Hamilton and Leclerc were eliminated in Q2 during qualifying, indicating issues with competitiveness.
Ferrari is preparing to introduce major upgrades at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, an event that Vasseur has labeled as a potential turning point for their season. These upgrades come at a critical juncture, as the FIA will implement a new technical directive designed to restrict the use of flexible front wings, which had offered some teams an aerodynamic advantage early in the season.
Both Vasseur and Christian Horner, the Red Bull team boss, have speculated that McLaren’s deployment of flexible wings contributed to their early-season speed advantage. The forthcoming enforcement of stricter wing flexibility tests is expected to reduce disparities and provide a more level playing field moving forward.
Looking Ahead: Ferrari’s Prospects After Upcoming Changes
With technical updates scheduled and new regulations coming into effect, the 2025 season still holds potential for Ferrari and Hamilton to regain competitiveness. The upgrades at Barcelona and the FIA’s clampdown on flexible wings may help narrow the performance gap against top contenders. How well Ferrari and Hamilton adapt to these changes could define their success for the remainder of the year.
