Lewis Hamilton has given Frederic Vasseur his unequivocal backing at Ferrari, arguing that replacing the French team principal would not change the team’s trajectory and could even prove damaging. Speaking to journalists during Thursday’s media activities at Sepang, the seven-time world champion described Vasseur as the right person to lead the Scuderia forward and stressed the importance of continuity.
Hamilton’s intervention came after Ferrari publicly clarified its position on Vasseur earlier in the week. During its press conference on Tuesday, September 29, the Maranello team made clear that its confidence in the French manager had never wavered, distancing itself from speculation surrounding his position.
Ferrari reiterates its confidence in Frederic Vasseur
Ferrari’s communications department stressed that the team had no intention of fuelling speculation or scenarios originating outside Maranello. The message from the Italian team was that senior management’s confidence in Vasseur remained unchanged.
The statement provided a clear response to the discussion surrounding Ferrari’s leadership, with the team choosing continuity rather than encouraging further questions over its management structure. The wider debate over Ferrari’s direction has intensified during a difficult phase of the 2026 campaign, with Hamilton himself acknowledging that 2027 is becoming an increasingly important test for Ferrari.
On Thursday at Sepang, Hamilton reinforced Ferrari’s position by making clear that he also believes in Vasseur’s leadership.
Lewis Hamilton backs Frederic Vasseur during difficult Ferrari period
Discussing Ferrari’s current situation during the media day, Lewis Hamilton acknowledged that this has not been an easy period for the French team principal and welcomed the public support issued by the team earlier in the week.
“I think it’s not an easy time for Fred, so it’s positive that the team released a statement at the beginning of the week,” Lewis Hamilton explained. “Not that it changes much for us, but at least it gives him a little more confidence.”
Hamilton’s position on Vasseur is particularly significant given the role the Frenchman played in bringing the British driver to Maranello. The seven-time world champion made clear that his support is not simply about maintaining stability, but also reflects his belief that Vasseur remains the correct person to oversee Ferrari’s progress.
Lewis Hamilton warns replacing Frederic Vasseur could hurt Ferrari
Hamilton went further when discussing the possibility of a leadership change, insisting that continuing with Vasseur represents the best course for Ferrari. He argued that replacing the team principal would not automatically alter the team’s competitive trajectory and could instead have a negative effect.
“I’ve just let him know that I support him 100%. I wouldn’t be here without him and he’s the right person to take us forward,” Lewis Hamilton said. “Replacing him wouldn’t change the trajectory of the team, in fact it could even damage us. I think it’s crucial to give Fred continuity, because he knows the team.”
The comments underline Hamilton’s preference for stability at Maranello at a time when Ferrari’s leadership has been the subject of external discussion. They also leave little ambiguity over where the Briton stands: he believes Vasseur should be given the continuity required to continue his work with a team he already knows closely.
That position is particularly relevant as Ferrari considers both its immediate competitiveness and its longer-term direction. Recent discussion has also included other prominent Formula 1 figures potentially being linked with Maranello, including Christian Horner’s comments about the possibility of a Ferrari role. Hamilton, however, has now offered an emphatic endorsement of the team principal already in place.
For the seven-time world champion, the central argument is continuity. Vasseur knows Ferrari, played an important role in Hamilton’s arrival and, in the driver’s view, remains the person capable of moving the Scuderia forward rather than someone whose replacement would provide an immediate solution.
Leave a Reply