Ferrari Facing Internal Pressure as Lewis Hamilton Struggles and Fred Vasseur Faces Questions Over Future
Ferrari have been working tirelessly in recent weeks to silence growing rumours suggesting that several senior figures within the team could soon depart. With internal challenges mounting and performance concerns deepening, the Scuderia is under increased scrutiny both on and off the track.
One of the most pressing topics surrounds team principal Fred Vasseur. Entering the 2025 Formula 1 season, Vasseur found himself in the final year of his contract with Ferrari, a situation that naturally sparked speculation regarding his future with the iconic Italian outfit. Given the team’s respectable performance in the previous campaign—where they finished just 14 points adrift of McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship—it had seemed logical that the Frenchman would be offered an extension without hesitation.
Moreover, the high-profile arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, joining forces with Charles Leclerc, was expected to provide the momentum needed to elevate Ferrari back to the top tier of Formula 1. However, that anticipated resurgence has so far failed to materialize. Despite promising moments, such as Charles Leclerc’s impressive pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the SF-25 continues to underperform compared to its main rivals—particularly McLaren.
Recent updates, including a significant change to the car’s rear suspension, have not delivered the competitive leap Ferrari had hoped for. Although Leclerc remains capable of extracting pace from the package, Lewis Hamilton has struggled to match his teammate’s consistency. The British driver has found it difficult to adapt to the limitations of the car, which still lacks the outright pace and balance needed to challenge for wins regularly.
The Hungarian Grand Prix marked a particularly low point for Hamilton, as he failed to score any points over the race weekend for the first time in the 2025 season. His frustrations were evident in the post-qualifying media sessions, during which he reportedly questioned whether Ferrari should consider a change in their driver lineup—comments that fueled further media speculation and added tension within the team.
Fred Vasseur, who was already under pressure, was left to answer difficult questions after a disappointing weekend. Hamilton had been trapped in 12th position following a strategic miscalculation by the team, while Leclerc was denied a potential podium—or even a race victory—due to a technical issue that Ferrari chose not to disclose publicly.
During the post-race press conference, Fred Vasseur, known for his generally calm and affable demeanour, visibly lost patience when faced with a pointed question from a journalist. The query concerned Hamilton’s reportedly substantial salary—rumoured to be around £39 million per year—and whether the seven-time world champion represented good value for money under current performance conditions.
According to a report from The Mirror, the exchange became notably tense, particularly during the print media session. The French manager, appearing irritated, dismissed the question outright, stating that he either did not understand the question or, if he did, believed it to be inappropriate. His tone reportedly conveyed strong disapproval, signalling that he was unwilling to entertain the subject further.
When asked more generally about Lewis Hamilton’s mindset in light of the ongoing struggles, Fred Vasseur acknowledged that the British driver was clearly frustrated, but clarified that he had not lost motivation. He pointed out that Lewis Hamilton’s demanding nature stems from the same drive and discipline that made him a multiple-time Formula 1 world champion. The Ferrari team boss indicated that Lewis Hamilton holds himself to the highest standards, and naturally, being out in Q2 while Leclerc secured pole position had been difficult for him to accept. Still, Vasseur expressed confidence that Hamilton would recover from this setback and return stronger.
Lewis Hamilton’s difficulties in Hungary were compounded by the characteristics of the circuit. Upon realising he had narrowly missed out on a spot in Q3, it was apparent that Sunday’s race would present a serious challenge. The Hungaroring, often compared to Monaco due to its tight layout and limited overtaking opportunities, did little to help Hamilton’s cause. Charles Leclerc himself had likened the track to the famous street circuit, highlighting how track position was paramount.
At the start of the race, the Briton was instructed to lift and coast in the early laps—an instruction designed to manage fuel and temperatures but one that hindered his ability to mount any meaningful attack. Compounding his struggles was Ferrari’s choice to start him on the harder tyre compound. As the race unfolded, it became evident that many of the drivers who began on the softer medium tyres were still able to deliver a competitive race strategy, further nullifying any potential advantage.
Former Formula 1 driver and pundit Martin Brundle commented during the broadcast that watching Hamilton’s race had been painful. He remarked that the ground-effect era had not been kind to the British driver and suggested that both Hamilton and Ferrari would be eagerly anticipating a fresh start with the next generation of cars.
The pressure is now mounting on Ferrari to deliver a much more competitive package for the 2026 Formula 1 season. Unless significant progress is made with next year’s car, there is a growing concern that Hamilton’s highly anticipated stint with the Scuderia could follow a similar trajectory to those of other former champions who joined Ferrari in pursuit of glory, only to leave without adding to their title tallies.
As the second half of the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Ferrari—not only to see whether Fred Vasseur secures a contract renewal, but also to observe whether Lewis Hamilton can turn around what has so far been a deeply frustrating debut year in red. The team must find solutions quickly, or risk further slipping behind in what has become an increasingly competitive Formula 1 field.
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