Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has stressed that the bond of trust with Lewis Hamilton remains intact, despite a challenging start to the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Hamilton’s first year with the Italian squad, following his high-profile move from Mercedes, has been far from smooth. Ferrari are yet to secure a Grand Prix victory this season, making them the only team in F1’s top four without a win, while the seven-time Formula 1 world champion himself is still searching for his inaugural podium with the Scuderia.
Reflecting on the early optimism surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Maranello, Fred Vasseur told The Athletic that the initial expectations were exceptionally high. The French manager explained that while Lewis Hamilton brought immense motivation and energy, the team had to adjust and find a balanced approach. He also noted that while Mercedes continues to excel in certain areas, Ferrari has advantages in others, creating a learning curve for both the team and the seven-time world champion.
Lewis Hamilton’s standout performance this year came in China, where he clinched sprint pole position and the sprint race victory, highlighting his potential despite overall struggles. However, over the course of the season, the Briton has been largely outpaced by teammate Charles Leclerc, which has led the 40-year-old to shift part of his focus to the 2026 Formula 1 campaign, when the new technical regulations are expected to reshape the competitive landscape.
Fred Vasseur emphasized that building a long-term, effective partnership remains a priority. He highlighted that the trust between driver and team has not faltered, despite the setbacks on track. The French team principal explained that Lewis Hamilton has been adapting to Ferrari’s unique environment, while the team itself is learning to align with Lewis Hamilton’s approach and experience.
He added that the synergy between Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari is gradually improving, using a metaphor to describe the ongoing process: “We need to make a kind of ‘mayonnaise’ now. Step by step, we are blending the team and Lewis together.” Fred Vasseur reinforced that mutual trust is vital, and affirmed his confidence in Hamilton’s commitment: “I know that I can trust him and he knows that he can trust me, and this is important. He also knows that I will be fully dedicated to improving the team’s performance.”
With six races remaining in the season, Fred Vasseur and Lewis Hamilton are focused on steady improvements while preparing for the technical changes in 2026, aiming to transform the challenges of 2025 into a foundation for future success at Ferrari.
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