Fred Vasseur reaffirms his faith in Lewis Hamilton’s ability, while Ferrari prepares for a fierce yet constructive battle between its two star drivers.
At over 40 years old and after three challenging seasons with Mercedes F1, does Lewis Hamilton still have the level to be a potential world champion with Ferrari?
The question may seem harsh, but it is not entirely illegitimate.
Of course, Fred Vasseur has his opinion on the matter, and it is already well known: the Scuderia boss would not have signed Lewis Hamilton if he were not convinced that he could still be immensely competitive, starting this year alongside Charles Leclerc.
“I think he showed it in Abu Dhabi, starting from the back of the grid, climbing up to fourth place, and overtaking Russell on the last lap—the pace is there,” Vasseur told the media during today’s Scuderia run.
“And I had no doubts before.”
Fast on track, Lewis Hamilton will also be a valuable technical asset for the car’s development. Has the Briton already provided his initial feedback?
“That’s true for every driver on the grid.”
“They are all part of the car’s development and evolution. And of course, Lewis is at the early stage of this collaboration, as he has only done two TPCs [tests with two-year-old cars] and is now on track. But his feedback is always important. He helps the team progress and work better.”
“And even if it’s just small details, what we have to keep in mind is that last year, we finished 14 points behind McLaren. That means less than one point per race on average. That’s three hundredths of a second between us and the driver ahead on the grid. So we are always talking about details.”
Lewis Hamilton’s experience will help Ferrari progress, but he is not expected to overhaul the car’s architecture. It is too late for that—especially with all eyes already on next year and the new regulations.
“It’s not about completely changing the car,” confirms Fred Vasseur.
“If we can gain a small performance advantage in one or two areas, that’s already a huge step forward. And Lewis brings his experience, his background. He will inevitably help the team improve in all aspects. We will quickly compare the two engines (Ferrari and Mercedes), the two chassis, and our operational approach on track. As a team, we must avoid being hesitant and focus on understanding where we can improve. That’s my role and that of the technicians.”
Ferrari will not bet everything on Hamilton’s first season if the effort is not worthwhile.
“If we need to develop the current car, it will be for the first two races, then I think everyone will shift focus. I’m not saying we will abandon this car, but we will concentrate more on 2026 if we see that the performance is not enough.”
“That means the first races and the initial upgrade we bring to the car will be crucial for the season. We will introduce something at the start of the season and then assess from there.”
Reunion Between Fred Vasseur and Lewis Hamilton
This is not the first time Lewis Hamilton has raced under Fred Vasseur’s leadership—he did so back in 2006 when he clinched the GP2 title.
“He’s 20 years older than when we worked together,” Vasseur notes. “Everyone changes, evolves, and develops. He is now far more mature, far more experienced.”
“He is the perfect complement to the team today. It’s exactly what I was looking for—for the team, for myself, for Charles. I think it’s the ideal combination.”
A Positive Rivalry Between the Two Ferrari Drivers?
But this dream lineup could end up costing each other points as the season progresses…
“It’s always an opportunity [to have a strong teammate], and one of the key qualities of a driver is the constant drive to improve,” Fred Vasseur emphasizes.
“A great way to do that is by observing your teammate’s experience and performance because they are the closest reference point. You have access to lap time gaps to analyze and work with, and if you are smart, you can take a step forward by capitalizing on your teammate’s potential.”
Fred Vasseur is therefore fully convinced he made the right choice with Sir Hamilton.
“I am completely certain I made the right decision because we’ve already done two TPCs and a shakedown today, and that has only reinforced my belief. Honestly, I have no concerns at all because we need this kind of change within the team.”
“I spoke about it last year with Charles and Carlos, and it was already the case then. As a team, if we want to perform, we need two competitive drivers. We need two drivers engaged in a form of competition—a positive rivalry that drives progress. And I’m sure that’s exactly what will happen.”
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