Fred Vasseur has maintained a long-standing professional relationship with Lewis Hamilton, guiding the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion from his junior racing days to the pinnacle of motorsport at Ferrari. Vasseur played a key role in Hamilton’s early development, serving as his mentor and engineer when Hamilton clinched the GP2 Series title in 2006, a vital stepping stone before his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007.
Over the years, Vasseur continued to witness the Briton’s rise, eventually facing him on track when he joined Renault in Formula 1 in 2016 while Hamilton dominated with Mercedes. Their paths converged again in 2025 at Ferrari, where Fred Vasseur’s leadership was instrumental in securing Hamilton’s move to Maranello. Despite the high-profile reunion, the 2025 season proved challenging, with Ferrari failing to secure a victory, placing pressure on Fred Vasseur’s position as team principal.
Lewis Hamilton remained loyal to the former team boss of Alfa Romeo, helping secure a contract extension for the French team principal, demonstrating the deep trust and mutual respect between the two. Yet, Fred Vasseur has often highlighted that, in his long career, there has been one driver whose passion outshone all others: former Ferrari and Benetton star Jean Alesi.
Fred Vasseur names Jean Alesi the most passionate driver he’s worked with
Fred Vasseur has worked with numerous drivers across multiple series, but he consistently points to Jean Alesi as the most emotionally invested competitor he has ever encountered. Although their collaboration occurred in DTM rather than F1, the French manager recalled Alesi’s fiery approach and unmatched enthusiasm for racing. The Frenchman remains a cult figure from the 1990s F1 scene, admired by fans worldwide for his raw speed and charisma, even if his career was often hampered by unreliable machinery, team changes, and on-track incidents.
On the Pirelli YouTube channel, the Ferrari team boss explained that Jean Alesi’s passion was immediately evident, both in his preparation and in the way fans connected with him. He emphasized that while Alesi could sometimes be “too emotional” on track, his energy and dedication left a lasting impression, marking him as the most passionate driver he has ever worked alongside.
Looking ahead: Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton in 2026
As Ferrari prepares for the 2026 season, Fred Vasseur has promised Lewis Hamilton a fresh start following a disappointing 2025 campaign. With the new technical regulations, Ferrari aims to provide a competitive SF-26 that allows Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc to fight at the front. Fred Vasseur will remain closely involved in guiding Hamilton throughout the season, ensuring the seven-time champion can maximize the potential of the car while managing expectations around performance and reliability.
Despite Hamilton’s challenges and criticism from some quarters suggesting retirement, his contract is approaching renewal, leaving Fred Vasseur to consider future options. Reports indicate that the Ferrari team principal has already developed a shortlist of potential candidates to succeed Hamilton if needed in 2027. Among the drivers under consideration are McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, along with Ferrari Academy talents Oliver Bearman and Rafael Camara, highlighting Ferrari’s focus on blending experienced race-winning talent with emerging young stars.
With preparations ongoing for the 2026 Formula 1 season, the focus will be on Fred Vasseur, Lewis Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc, as Ferrari seeks to return to the top step of the podium and demonstrate that their strategic planning, combined with driver skill and technical development, can deliver success in Formula 1’s new era.
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