When Lewis Hamilton was announced as a new Ferrari driver, the expectations surrounding the seven-time world champion and the Scuderia were vastly different from the reality that unfolded. Fans and insiders alike expected to see Hamilton fighting for the world title—a prize that Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc had come agonizingly close to in 2024. However, history took a different turn, partly due to an SF-25 that was radically revolutionized compared to its predecessor, yet plagued by persistent issues that remained unresolved throughout the season.
When you consider that a driver’s first year in a new team is often marked by initial adjustment hurdles, it becomes clear why Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 campaign felt like a true nightmare. The former Mercedes ace struggled to find the necessary confidence in the car, frequently finishing behind his teammate in both qualifying and race sessions. His candid post-session comments sparked intense debate, even leading some to speculate about a potential early retirement for the 40-year-old Briton.
Vasseur explains the mistake made with Hamilton
Any talk of an early exit has been firmly dismissed by those involved, with both team and driver choosing to double down on a 2026 season filled with promise. The upcoming regulatory overhaul offers Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari the chance to finally validate what many called the “signing of the century.” To achieve this, the team must address the core issues experienced over the last year. Fred Vasseur is well aware of this, and in a recent interview with Sky Sport, he admitted to a miscalculation regarding the #44 driver.
“Charles already knew the team well—every member of the squad, the software—and he already felt at home. For Lewis, it was a massive challenge arriving here from Mercedes. My mistake was underestimating that challenge, especially in a season where a single tenth of a second could cost you several positions on the grid,” the Team Principal explained.
Despite the difficult start, Fred Vasseur remains optimistic about the future of the partnership: “By now, he knows the team and we know him, which is why things will go better in 2026. He now knows how to use the software and the tools on the car. For this reason, I am sure he will do very well,” Fred Vasseur concluded.
The hope among the Tifosi is that these admissions will soon translate into on-track results, finally allowing the seven-time world champion to fight at the sharp end of the grid once again.
Fred Vasseur has taken personal responsibility for underestimating the complexity of Lewis Hamilton’s transition from Mercedes to Ferrari during a highly competitive 2025 season. While the first year of the partnership was overshadowed by technical struggles and a steep learning curve, the team remains firmly confident that Lewis Hamilton’s integration is now complete. With the 2026 technical revolution on the horizon, Ferrari believes that Lewis Hamilton’s familiarity with their systems, combined with a fresh start under new regulations, will finally unlock the championship-winning potential of this historic pairing.
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