Could the future of Frédéric Vasseur at Ferrari really depend on Lewis Hamilton? That is the question that many Formula 1 insiders are now asking, as the deal to bring the seven-time world champion to Maranello has not delivered the expected sporting results so far.
Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari has not brought the success that fans and the team had hoped for. Up to this point, the British driver has been unable to show his best form on track, and doubts are growing about whether his performances could end up influencing Vasseur’s position as team principal.
Lewis Hamilton has never truly found the right feeling with the Ferrari SF-25, except for one bright weekend in China, where he managed to take pole position in qualifying and convert it into a victory in the Sprint race. Since then, however, there has been a dramatic decline, with results falling away and a crisis that has yet to find a solution. For Hamilton, a significant and unwanted record under the Prancing Horse colors is now looming closer.
Does Fred Vasseur’s future depend on Lewis Hamilton?
“Hamilton’s move to Ferrari could eventually cost Fréd Vasseur his job. Lewis has been one of the most talented athletes the world has ever seen. But I think we have already seen his best days. Physiologically, at 40 years old you simply do not have the instincts and reflexes that drivers in their twenties have. That is a fact. It is human nature. I don’t believe Hamilton can access those talents at the same level he had in the past. Ferrari made a marketing decision to bring Hamilton, a brilliant move from that perspective, but not a competitive one. The team has suffered. I believe Hamilton has suffered, and I do not see improvements.”
Those were the words of former Irish driver Derek Daly, speaking to RacingNews365. His assessment adds to the ongoing debate, but it is important to underline that Fred Vasseur’s future is not strictly dependent on Hamilton’s results. The Frenchman will have to prove himself next year regardless, with the 2026 regulation changes marking a crucial turning point. The next Ferrari must be able to win races or at the very least come close to fighting for that target. That is why the recent high-profile departures of figures like Wolf Zimmermann and Lars Schmidt do not inspire much confidence, even though Fred Vasseur knows very well that in 2026 he cannot afford to fail.
Continuing on the subject of Hamilton, Daly added: “I do not see Lewis being successful at the same level he was in the past at Ferrari. The best thing that could happen is that Lewis realizes this and makes the decision to move on to the next stage of his career. Ferrari could then bring in a younger, aggressive driver, someone capable of contributing more than Lewis will be able to in the coming years.” The 2026 season will therefore be fundamental to resolving this situation, always assuming that the Scuderia can produce a competitive car. Otherwise, everything could return to square one once again.
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