Hamilton Insists Ferrari’s Vasseur Remains Unchanged After Two Decades
Table of Contents
Despite a challenging start to his Ferrari career, Lewis Hamilton maintains unwavering support for team principal Fred Vasseur, asserting the Frenchman hasn’t altered since their first collaboration in 2005. The seven-time world champion’s faith in Vasseur was a pivotal factor in his move from Mercedes to the iconic Scuderia.
A Long-Standing Relationship
Hamilton and Vasseur’s professional relationship dates back to 2005, when the British driver competed for Vasseur’s ASM team in the Formula 3 Euro Series. He clinched the title that year, demonstrating early promise under Vasseur’s guidance. The partnership continued in GP2 in 2006, with Hamilton racing for ART Grand Prix, a team owned by the future Ferrari boss. He secured another championship victory in his debut GP2 season, earning a promotion to Formula 1 with McLaren in 2007.
The Pull to Maranello
Hamilton’s recent move to Ferrari, announced earlier this year, reunited the pair. The decision wasn’t taken lightly, as it meant leaving the established success of Mercedes for the ambitious project of restoring Ferrari to its former glory. According to sources, Vasseur was a key reason Hamilton chose to embrace this challenge.
However, the transition has proven difficult. Heading into this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, Hamilton remains without a podium finish since joining the Italian team. Despite these struggles, his confidence in Vasseur remains steadfast.
“Exactly the Same”
Speaking to select media, including RacingNews365 in Singapore, Hamilton was asked about any changes he’d observed in Vasseur since their time together in 2006. His response was emphatic: “Not Fred, no. Fred still wears the same clothes, and he’s exactly the same as he was.”
He elaborated, stating, “Everything’s exactly the same, generally, I would say. I always admired him heavily when I was in the lower categories. Just the way he worked with a team, he’s a straight shooter, clearly a massive competitor.”
Hamilton highlighted Vasseur’s strategic focus, contrasting it with previous teams. “I always admired like, I came from a couple of different teams focused on where they spent their money and it was on other areas, and he was all about aerodynamics and performance, and that’s what it’s all about today,” he explained. “It’s just all about car performance, which I think is a strength of his.”
This enduring faith in Vasseur’s leadership and technical acumen suggests Hamilton believes the foundation for success at Ferrari is firmly in place, even amidst current challenges.
