Fred Vasseur Faces Criticism from Ferrari Fans After Controversial Reaction to Hamilton Struggles and Spanish GP Outcome
Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur began the 2025 Formula 1 campaign riding a wave of optimism. The French manager had just orchestrated one of the most high-profile transfers in F1 history by bringing seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes to Maranello. With Ferrari having narrowly missed the 2024 constructors’ title—finishing just 14 points behind McLaren—the team looked poised to return to championship-winning form.
However, less than halfway through the season, the atmosphere surrounding Ferrari has changed dramatically. The SF-25 has failed to live up to expectations, and the team’s performances have fallen short of the lofty goals set during winter testing. Vasseur, once hailed for his bold leadership, is now under increasing scrutiny as pressure mounts from fans and the media alike.
Through the first nine rounds of the 2025 season, Ferrari have failed to seriously contend for a race win. They have managed just three podiums—each delivered by Charles Leclerc—and suffered a major embarrassment at Imola, where both cars were eliminated in Q2 at one of their home races. Despite the star power and pedigree Hamilton brings, the Briton’s debut campaign in red has yet to yield a single Grand Prix podium finish.
Frederic Vasseur attempted to highlight Ferrari’s progress in the constructors’ standings after the Spanish Grand Prix, where Charles Leclerc finished third and Lewis Hamilton crossed the line in sixth. He noted that Ferrari had overtaken both Red Bull and Mercedes to move into second overall, and that he preferred their current position to having fallen to fourth or fifth. The Frenchman also pointed out that Ferrari had managed to erase a 40-point deficit to Mercedes, stemming from a double disqualification in China, and now lead the Silver Arrows by six points.
While the Ferrari boss viewed this as a sign of improvement, the reaction from fans was far from supportive. Many took to social media platforms like X to criticize Vasseur’s remarks, suggesting they exposed a defeatist mindset unworthy of Ferrari’s historic legacy. One fan accused him of embodying a “loser mentality,” while another expressed disbelief that second place had become a cause for celebration at the Scuderia.
Several users argued that such comments were emblematic of lowered standards, claiming that Charles Leclerc was the only one in the team still showing a true winning spirit. Others took direct aim at Fred Vasseur’s leadership style, accusing him of “celebrating mediocrity” and calling for Lewis Hamilton to leave before the situation deteriorates further. One fan remarked that the French manager might be a likeable figure, but insisted that his mindset resembled that of someone comfortable with failure, not someone aiming for world titles.
Fred Vasseur’s critics also pointed out that Ferrari’s rise in the standings may not reflect actual performance gains. Red Bull’s position has been compromised by the lack of support for Max Verstappen from their second driver, with the reigning champion scoring 137 of the team’s 144 points. Meanwhile, Mercedes have been plagued by reliability issues. Kimi Antonelli retired at both Imola and Barcelona, and George Russell experienced a costly failure during Monaco qualifying.
At the Spanish Grand Prix, Ferrari had hoped for a turning point. The team believed that recent FIA regulations on flexible wings would impact McLaren’s performance, potentially opening a path for Ferrari to catch up. But on race day, the team still lacked the raw speed needed to challenge the front-runners.
To make matters worse, Ferrari’s strategic decision-making came under fire once again. Sky Sports commentator David Croft raised concerns about the delay in swapping positions between Hamilton and the evidently faster Leclerc during the opening stint in Barcelona. This hesitation only served to reinforce the perception that operational issues continue to hinder Ferrari’s potential.
As the season progresses, Fred Vasseur now faces a critical moment. With Hamilton’s results failing to meet expectations and fan sentiment turning hostile, Ferrari must deliver more than symbolic gains in the championship table—they need tangible improvements on track.
