Fred Vasseur Addresses Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari Struggles Amid "All-Time F1 Low"

Fred Vasseur has acknowledged the growing sentiment that Lewis Hamilton's pride is suffering as his challenging first season with Ferrari continues. The seven-time world champion is enduring a difficult period, marked by an unprecedented qualifying result in Las Vegas and a declared "nightmare" season.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari was heralded as a seismic shift in Formula 1, expected to reignite his career and bring the Scuderia back to championship contention. However, a string of underwhelming performances, culminating in an "all-time F1 low" in Las Vegas, has cast a shadow over his debut season. The team principal's direct address to Hamilton's frustration highlights the immense pressure on both driver and team to turn the tide, especially with the ambitious 2026 regulations looming.

The details:

• Vegas Low Point: In Las Vegas, Hamilton qualified slowest on pure pace for the first time in his 378 Grand Prix starts. Despite climbing to finish 10th on track (and ultimately eighth after McLaren's double disqualification), Hamilton dismissed the result as "meaningless."
• "Nightmare" Season: Hamilton has openly described his current season as a "nightmare," having yet to secure a Grand Prix podium. With only two races remaining, his remarkable record of achieving at least one podium in every F1 season is in jeopardy.
• Post-Summer Slump: Since the summer break, Hamilton has scored only 43 points across eight races, with his best finish being fourth in the United States Grand Prix.
• 2026 Concerns: Following the Vegas race, Hamilton even expressed a lack of anticipation for the 2026 season, despite the introduction of new car regulations.
• Vasseur's Perspective: Team Principal Fred Vasseur sees a positive in Hamilton's visible frustration, interpreting it as a sign of a winner's mentality. When asked if Hamilton's pride was affected, Vasseur affirmed, "Yes. I think you can understand that it has normal that Lewis is not happy with P10 in Vegas."
• Team Reaction: Vasseur emphasized the team's shared discontent, stating, "Ferrari is not happy with P10 in Vegas, and Ferrari is not happy with P6 in Vegas." He stressed the need for collective effort to improve.
• Historical Context: Vasseur drew a parallel with Max Verstappen's P11 finish in Budapest, noting it "was not the absolute drama," advocating for a persistent, pushing approach.

What's next:

Vasseur's remarks underscore the urgency for Ferrari to rally around Hamilton and find solutions to their performance struggles. While frustration is normal for a winning driver, the sustained lack of results could impact morale and future development. The focus now shifts to the remaining races to try and salvage a podium, and more importantly, to demonstrate a clear path forward for the team and their star driver ahead of the critical 2026 regulatory changes.