Scuderia Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur sat down to discuss the recent challenges faced by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton during his tenure with the team, Charles Leclerc’s performance, and his future with the team.
Expectations vs. Reality
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari marked a groundbreaking shift in the driver market as he aimed to secure a record eighth world championship. Apart from a fleeting moment of victory in Shanghai, 9/9 races have led to disappointment, confusion, and defeat for the world champion.
Vasseur summed it up bluntly in an interview with LaStampa:
“Details. We are talking about hundredths, that in this so balanced F1 can make the difference between a first and third row, between a good weekend and a less of a good one. But it’s still details: understanding the car, set-up, communication. It’s normal when one changes team.”
Hamilton’s performance paints a dull picture in contrast to championship leader Oscar Piastri, as the Ferrari driver currently sits 90 points behind the leader and 7th in the standings. His best performance was in Monaco, where he secured P5.
Disappointment in Barcelona
Hamilton’s race in Barcelona ended in sheer disappointment, as he battled the car in every turn.
Vasseur compared the driver’s disappointment to what Charles Leclerc experienced at his home race in Monaco, explaining that it’s normal to feel disappointed, especially when the drivers have been giving their all on track.
“Drivers are competitive, they give all their energies to the project and I understand that they could be sad or angry if things don’t go well, it would be wrong if it would be otherwise.”
The race ended in dissatisfaction due to several errors; the British driver sustained floor damage during the final stint, which contributed to poor car balance, according to Vasseur.
Communication Gap
Vasseur also clarified there is no bad blood between Hamilton and his race engineer Riccardo Adami. This issue arose from Hamilton’s engineer’s reaction after qualifying in Monaco, as he received no response from the pit wall.
“Are you mad at me?” the driver asked, but received radio silence.
Vasseur cleared the air as he mentioned that the team’s upset had nothing to do with any conflicts, but because of the penalty Hamilton received, and Charles “narrowly” missing out on pole position.
“What’s important is that before and after that, the dialogue is constructive. I can assure you there is no kind of conflict.”
Communication is currently the area where the team is lacking. Vasseur emphasized that this is a key factor that needs to be addressed, stressing the importance of understanding how the team can improve and the information Hamilton expects from them.
Leclerc’s positives
When discussing Charles Leclerc, Vasseur praised the Monagasque, saying he’s doing a good job of being sure of himself and voicing exactly what he needs from his engineer, while also clearing the air about Leclerc departing the Scuderia team anytime soon:
“He is in love with Ferrari, his career only has one colour since the academy and the GP3 days. He is very attached to the company and the team, he is not looking around for a better seat.”
But, when asked if Leclerc is Ferrari’s team leader, he remained diplomatic:
“We have two top drivers, there is no need for a leader.”
Both drivers have a strong relationship, with healthy competition that brings a perfect balance to the team.
What lies ahead?
The team is currently at a crossroads, managing two exceptional drivers, a car that struggles to perform to its full potential, and the need for improved performance. While Hamilton works on building a stronger foundation, Vasseur remains optimistic that, with their strong team spirit, they can achieve success with he upcoming races.
