Lewis Hamilton praises Fred Vasseur’s support as Ferrari struggles through 2025 F1 season
Ferrari endured another difficult weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix while watching McLaren clinch the 2025 Formula 1 constructors’ championship with six races still to go. The Italian team’s struggles have made the closing rounds of the season a highly anticipated relief for both drivers and engineers at Maranello.
At the start of the year, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur believed the Scuderia could mount a serious challenge for both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles in 2025. The addition of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to partner Charles Leclerc was intended to complete Ferrari’s championship puzzle. However, Fred Vasseur effectively conceded the 2025 F1 constructors’ title to McLaren in August after falling 299 points behind the papaya-colored team over the first 14 rounds of a 24-race season. Ferrari have since fallen further behind, now trailing McLaren by 352 points and occupying only third place in the team standings.
Singapore GP adds to Ferrari’s woes
The Singapore Grand Prix provided another example of Ferrari’s ongoing difficulties in 2025. Hamilton experienced a late brake issue and was subsequently handed a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits, dropping him from seventh to eighth position. Charles Leclerc also struggled to make headway, finishing only sixth. The Scuderia remains the only one of F1’s top four teams without a Grand Prix victory this season, while Hamilton continues to wait for his first podium as a Ferrari driver — a stark contrast to his previous record of reaching a rostrum within ten races.
Hamilton hails Vasseur’s leadership and support
Despite the challenges, Hamilton has emphasized that Ferrari’s 2025 season offers valuable lessons for the future. He has praised Fred Vasseur’s unwavering commitment and support, highlighting how the French team principal remains focused on car performance and aerodynamics rather than distractions from other areas of the team. Hamilton noted that the team has grown stronger and more united under Fred Vasseur’s leadership, with a renewed focus on collaboration and improving the SF-25.
According to Lewis Hamilton, Fred Vasseur’s approach has always been about results on track rather than off-track management, a philosophy that stood out to Hamilton during his early racing years. Unlike some of his previous teams, where priorities could be split across commercial and performance areas, Ferrari under Fred Vasseur has maintained a clear focus on maximizing car speed and competitiveness. Hamilton credited this clarity of vision as one of Vasseur’s major strengths.
Pressure mounts on Fred Vasseur amid rumors of Christian Horner
Lewis Hamilton’s public praise for the French manager comes at a time when the team principal is reportedly facing renewed scrutiny. Ferrari chairman John Elkann is said to be considering a leadership change despite having extended Fred Vasseur’s contract through 2027 in July. The departure of Christian Horner from Red Bull earlier this year has fueled speculation that Elkann may be interested in replacing Fred Vasseur with the 51-year-old Briton, who is now available to join a rival team in 2026.
Fred Vasseur previously survived calls for his dismissal, but the combination of Ferrari’s disappointing results in 2025 and Horner’s availability has raised questions about the team’s long-term strategy. Horner’s operational roles at Red Bull were terminated in July, and the two parties agreed on a reduced severance in September, officially freeing him to consider new opportunities. Elkann’s interest in Horner underscores the pressure on Ferrari’s current leadership to reverse the team’s fortunes before the 2026 regulations shake-up.
Looking ahead for Ferrari and Hamilton
As Ferrari navigates the final rounds of the 2025 season, Lewis Hamilton’s focus remains on maximizing the team’s performance while adapting to the challenges of the SF-25. Fred Vasseur’s leadership and emphasis on engineering excellence continue to provide a stabilizing influence, even amid speculation about future management changes. For the Briton, the priority is clear: extract the most from the car, build team cohesion, and prepare for a potential resurgence under the 2026 Formula 1 regulations, where Ferrari hopes to return to championship contention.
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