Lewis Hamilton has publicly defended Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur, highlighting the intense scrutiny the Italian team faces. Hamilton stated that mistakes made by Ferrari are perceived as ’10 times worse’ compared to other Formula 1 teams. This comment comes amidst ongoing speculation regarding Vasseur’s leadership at Maranello.
Hamilton described Vasseur as a ‘fantastic leader’ and affirmed his belief that Vasseur is the correct individual to guide the team forward. He acknowledged that the team’s structure might require future consideration but stressed that Vasseur is not solely accountable for Ferrari’s performance.
The seven-time world champion also noted that there are individuals in positions above Vasseur within the Ferrari hierarchy. Hamilton credited Vasseur with helping the team achieve second place in the Constructors’ Championship this season, marking a significant improvement from the previous year.
Ferrari currently holds second position in the Constructors’ Championship behind Mercedes. Despite a strong start to the 2026 season, which included Hamilton’s maiden Ferrari victory in Barcelona and Charles Leclerc’s win at Silverstone, the team has not secured a podium finish in the last five events.
The team’s performance has seen a decline in the latter half of the current season, with rivals such as McLaren demonstrating considerable progress. A notable weakness identified by Hamilton is a consistent power unit deficit against competitors.
Speculation surrounding Vasseur’s future intensified following comments from former Red Bull boss Christian Horner, who expressed interest in the Ferrari team principal role. In response, Ferrari issued a statement reaffirming its ‘full confidence’ in Vasseur and his team.
This official backing from Ferrari was delivered in a hastily arranged press briefing ahead of the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix. The team’s Chief Communication Officer, Maria Conti, emphasized the importance of unity and cohesion within the team during this period.
During the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Ferrari experienced a challenging weekend, with Leclerc finishing P4 and Hamilton P6. Leclerc reported difficulties in defending positions during the opening laps, a situation Vasseur attributed to the demanding nature of the circuit for the power unit.
Hamilton, who joined Ferrari for the 2025 season, has reportedly renewed his contract with the Scuderia. Reports suggest an extension through 2027, with an option for the 2028 season, following a resurgent performance in 2026 after a difficult debut year.
‘We make the same mistake, and we know we are not perfect, but it is 10 times worse for Ferrari,’ Hamilton stated. ‘For me, it’s frustrating to see all the negativity. We either make the same mistake or are not perfect, and we know we’re not, and it’s 10 times worse for some reason for Ferrari. But that’s also to be expected given that it’s the best brand here.’
