Vasseur Understands Hamilton's Frustration Amidst 'Worst Season' Comments
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur understands Lewis Hamilton's frustration after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where Hamilton called 2025 his 'worst season'. Despite public critiques, Vasseur prefers candid driver feedback post-race, believing it's more productive than superficial positivity. He acknowledges Hamilton's underlying pace has been strong in recent events, emphasizing the team's need to coalesce performance for better results.
Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur acknowledges Lewis Hamilton's frustration following the Las Vegas Grand Prix, emphasizing that drivers' post-race emotions are understandable. Hamilton described 2025 as his 'worst season' after a disappointing performance, but Vasseur prefers candid feedback over superficial comments.
Why it matters:
Lewis Hamilton's public discontent highlights the challenges Ferrari faces in becoming a consistent title contender. Understanding and addressing a seven-time world champion's frustrations is crucial for team morale and future performance. Vasseur's stance on embracing raw feedback shows a pragmatic approach to team management, valuing honesty over a controlled narrative, which could foster a more productive environment for improvement.
The Details:
- Las Vegas Performance: Hamilton finished 10th (later eighth) in the Las Vegas Grand Prix after starting last due to a wet qualifying session – a career first for pace alone.
- Hamilton's Comments: Post-race, Hamilton stated he felt 'terrible' and described 2025 as his 'worst season', adding that 'no matter how much I try, it just keeps getting worse'. He also expressed a lack of enthusiasm for 'next season' based on current form.
- Vasseur's Response: Frederic Vasseur expressed understanding for Hamilton's immediate post-race reaction, emphasizing the need to 'calm down' and focus on the upcoming races. He noted Hamilton's good pace in earlier practice sessions in Vegas.
- Driver Feedback Philosophy: Vasseur prefers drivers to be 'very open' and express frustration immediately after a tough race rather than offering superficial positive comments. He sees this as a natural human reaction driven by adrenaline and emotion.
- Previous Instances: This isn't the first time Hamilton has been openly critical of his performance this season. He called himself 'useless' after qualifying 12th in Hungary while teammate Charles Leclerc took pole. Following a collision in Sao Paulo, he described his lack of results as a 'nightmare'.
- Chairman's Comments: Ferrari chairman John Elkann previously suggested drivers needed to 'focus more on driving and talk less' after Hamilton's comments in Sao Paulo, highlighting an internal dynamic regarding public statements.
Between the lines:
Vasseur's emphasis on what drivers 'do on the Monday morning with the team' rather than 'what they say in the TV pen' reveals a strategic focus on actionable feedback and internal problem-solving. While public frustration can seem detrimental, Vasseur views it as a raw, honest indicator of a driver's commitment to improving, a far more valuable trait than artificial optimism. This approach suggests a willingness to face uncomfortable truths head-on to drive real progress within the team.
What's next:
Vasseur believes Hamilton's underlying pace in recent events, like Mexico and Austin, has been better than results suggest, despite the 'mathematical side' being challenging. The team's immediate focus is on putting 'everything together' in the remaining two races of the season. The upcoming Qatar Grand Prix Sprint weekend will be another test for both Hamilton and Ferrari to turn performance into results and regain ground in the Constructors' Championship.