Ferrari Boss Reveals Lewis Hamilton’s Hidden Struggles and Surprising Resilience in Tough Transition
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur recently shared insights into the challenges faced by Lewis Hamilton in his first year with the team, acknowledging that the seven-time world champion’s transition to Ferrari has not been easy. Despite a tough season where Hamilton failed to secure a podium finish and struggled to match teammate Charles Leclerc’s pace, Vasseur remains optimistic about the collaboration between the driver and the team.
Vasseur emphasized the importance of a “mindset” shift within both the team and Hamilton, where everyone works together to make continuous improvements. He pointed out that the performance gap is not due to any single factor, but rather a series of small adjustments across multiple areas. For example, Hamilton’s change in brake supplier after 20 years with one supplier was a significant challenge, but Vasseur believes that addressing these minor issues one by one is the key to closing the performance gap.
While Hamilton’s frustration was evident in some public appearances, where he admitted to feeling disheartened, Vasseur revealed that behind the scenes, the driver has maintained a strong, motivated attitude. Even during difficult moments, Hamilton focused on working with the team to find solutions, contributing positively to the team’s energy. Vasseur praised Hamilton for his willingness to collaborate and his ability to stay focused on improving, even when the media might not see his best side.
The adjustment to Ferrari has been difficult for Hamilton, as he had spent 12 years with Mercedes, and Vasseur admitted that the change was more challenging than he initially anticipated. From the software to the components and even the team dynamics, everything at Ferrari is different. However, Vasseur believes that with continued effort and collaboration, both Hamilton and Ferrari will eventually get back on track.
