F1 | Ferrari struggles in Qatar due to a major error that won’t happen in Abu Dhabi
Ferrari endured a difficult weekend in Qatar, with Charles Leclerc finishing eighth and Lewis Hamilton twelfth. The outcome was harsh, and team principal Frederic Vasseur spoke to Sky with unflinching realism about the team’s struggles.
Fred Vasseur didn’t look for excuses. “Nothing positive came out of this weekend. We performed worse than before. We couldn’t find the right setup. We couldn’t find the proper window. We took a step back,” he explained.
According to the team principal, the critical issue in Qatar was tire management. “This weekend was all about tire pressures. It was a key factor that everyone struggled with, albeit in different ways. That’s why we also struggled to find the right setup,” he added.
What Ferrari lacked in Qatar
The hope is that Abu Dhabi will bring more predictable conditions. “In Abu Dhabi, we return to standard conditions, and we hope to do better,” Fred Vasseur said.
When asked about the biggest challenge—keeping the team calm or focusing on the car of the future—Fred Vasseur answered honestly. “I’d say both. It’s important to pay attention to everything. I understand the frustration, but starting tomorrow, we go to Abu Dhabi. Even though the work is now focused on next year, we will think about all of this too.”
The atmosphere is tense, with the end of the season amplifying every difficulty. Yet the team principal emphasized the need for unity and clarity in a challenging moment.
Vasseur on Hamilton
The seven-time world champion had shown signs of progress starting from Zandvoort, but now the situation has shifted. “Since Zandvoort, we saw a new Lewis. Now, over the past couple of races, he has struggled again. It’s all caused by the difficulties of recent weekends. The cars have regressed, and frustration has increased.” Fred Vasseur stressed the need for team cohesion. “We all need to push in the same direction together.”
Ferrari leaves Qatar with very few points and a long list of questions. Abu Dhabi offers one last chance to end 2025 on a slightly brighter note before every ounce of energy switches to the crucial 2026 car.
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