Ferrari's Vasseur Agrees: Negativity 'Not Helping' in Tough Season

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has acknowledged Lewis Hamilton's point that the 'negativity' surrounding Ferrari's winless campaign is detrimental to the team's morale and performance. This comes as the Scuderia faces a challenging season, falling short of pre-season expectations despite a seemingly promising car and the high-profile arrival of Hamilton.

Why it matters:

Ferrari, one of F1's most iconic teams, is enduring another difficult season, failing to secure a victory despite optimistic pre-season projections and the highly anticipated arrival of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton. The ongoing struggles and the resulting media scrutiny create a challenging environment, impacting not only the team's performance but also the personal lives of its staff. Addressing this 'negativity' is crucial for Ferrari to maintain focus and build towards a more competitive future, especially as they look to the crucial 2026 regulations.

The Details:

• Hamilton's Woes: Lewis Hamilton, joining Ferrari with a 'fairytale' narrative, has yet to achieve a podium finish in 23 races this season. He currently sits sixth in the championship with 152 points, 78 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
• 'Worst Season Ever': Hamilton has publicly labeled this his 'worst' season in Formula 1, expressing anticipation for its conclusion. These comments have generated significant international headlines.
• Impact of Negativity: Hamilton highlighted that constant negative media coverage 'affects them' (Ferrari staff) directly, extending to their families and children, creating additional stress and pressure.
• Vasseur's Agreement: Following the Qatar Grand Prix, where Ferrari scored only four points (Leclerc P8, Hamilton P11), Fred Vasseur concurred with Hamilton, stating, 'For sure, it's not helping.'
• Team Bubble: Vasseur emphasized the team's need to 'stay in our bubble' and extract the best from their current situation, acknowledging the natural 'ups and downs' and the necessity of managing such circumstances.
• Red Bull as Example: Vasseur referenced Max Verstappen's ability to recover from a difficult start (P10 in qualifying, P11 in race in Budapest) to win races, suggesting that comebacks are possible. This implies that Ferrari can also reverse its fortunes.
• Qatar Struggles: Vasseur attributed Ferrari's poor performance in Qatar to issues with 'tyre pressure, the prescription that we were a bit like on a balloon all weekend.' He admitted the team 'did a worse job than the others' in managing this challenge.

The big picture:

Despite pre-season hype suggesting Ferrari's SF-25 was half a second faster than its predecessor and the addition of Lewis Hamilton, the team has struggled to convert potential into results. The current season marks another year without a victory, with Ferrari destined to finish fourth in the Constructors' Championship, significantly behind Red Bull. The focus now shifts to managing internal morale amidst external pressures, analyzing mistakes like those in Qatar, and preparing for the final race in Abu Dhabi, all while keeping a watchful eye on the 2026 regulations where an engine upgrade could be a game-changer.

What's next:

Ferrari has one last opportunity to secure a win this season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. While a championship challenge is off the table, a strong finish could provide some much-needed momentum and a morale boost going into the off-season. The team will need to thoroughly analyze its performance, particularly the tire pressure issues from Qatar, to understand and rectify recurring problems. Beyond this season, the focus will undoubtedly shift to developing a more competitive car and power unit for the upcoming seasons, particularly with the new regulations on the horizon, aiming to turn the 'fairytale' of Hamilton's arrival into a reality.