Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur: a partnership that began twenty years ago and is reborn at Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur share a relationship that began twenty years ago.

Hamilton and Vasseur: a twenty-year bond renewed at Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton has opened up about his long-standing relationship with Fred Vasseur — a connection built on mutual trust, respect, and a shared competitive spirit that dates back two decades. Their partnership began in 2005, when a young Hamilton raced in the Formula 3 Euro Series with the ASM team, led by Fred Vasseur. That season proved decisive: Hamilton won the championship, setting in motion a career that would soon take him to the pinnacle of Formula 1.

The following year, in 2006, the duo continued their journey together in GP2 with ART Grand Prix, the team founded by Fred Vasseur. Once again, Hamilton dominated the field and won the title on his debut — a performance that opened the door to his first Formula 1 seat with McLaren, marking the beginning of what would become a legendary career at the top of motorsport.

Today, nearly twenty years later, the two find themselves reunited in Maranello, as Hamilton embarks on his first season with Scuderia Ferrari. Although the start of the campaign has been challenging — with no podium finishes so far — the seven-time World Champion has expressed full confidence in both the team’s direction and Fred Vasseur’s leadership style.

“Fred hasn’t changed at all,” said Hamilton to reporters during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend. “He still wears the same kind of clothes, keeps the same determination, and tackles challenges in that direct, focused way. I’ve always admired his competitive mindset and his commitment to performance.”

Hamilton also highlighted the technical qualities that have always characterized Fred Vasseur’s approach. “Even back then, he was completely invested in aerodynamics and speed. He was obsessed with improving the car — just like he is today. That’s what makes him so strong,” he added.

The bond between Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur could prove to be one of the key elements in Ferrari’s new era. Both men share a deep understanding built through years of collaboration and mutual respect, and Hamilton knows that success at Ferrari will take time. However, having at his side the same team principal who guided him to his first major victories could make all the difference in his pursuit of new triumphs with the Scuderia.

For Ferrari fans, this reunion represents more than just a nostalgic story — it’s the foundation of a new project built on experience, trust, and a shared hunger for victory. As Hamilton and Vasseur work together once again, their partnership could become a crucial driving force in Ferrari’s quest to return to the top of Formula 1.