Stefano Domenicali urges Fred Vasseur to dam out strain and keep centered to assist Lewis Hamilton succeed at Ferrari
Frederic Vasseur, the present workforce principal at Ferrari, understands Lewis Hamilton’s capabilities on the racetrack higher than most. Lengthy earlier than Hamilton started his Components 1 profession with McLaren in 2007, Fred Vasseur had already labored with the British driver throughout his dominant marketing campaign in GP2 with ART Grand Prix. Practically twenty years later, the 2 have reunited at Ferrari below very totally different circumstances, however the begin of their journey collectively has not mirrored the success of their earlier collaboration.
The Briton’s much-anticipated change from Mercedes to Ferrari hasn’t delivered rapid outcomes. Whereas there was a short spark of optimism after the seven-time world champion clinched victory within the Dash Race in China from pole place, it proved short-lived. The principle race introduced disappointment, with each Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc disqualified on account of technical infringements. Furthermore, Hamilton has brazenly admitted he’s nonetheless acclimating to Ferrari’s inner techniques and methodologies, making the difference section extra complicated than anticipated.
The Briton made the transfer to Ferrari with goals of following within the footsteps of icons like Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda—champions who added to their legacies in purple. Whereas such ambitions appear out of attain in 2025, Components 1 Group CEO and former Ferrari workforce boss Stefano Domenicali has provided his perspective on how Hamilton and Ferrari can navigate the difficult highway forward.
Stefano Domenicali’s message to Fred Vasseur and Hamilton: block out strain and give attention to the small print
Talking throughout an interview on the Italian radio program La Politica nel Pallone for Rai Gr Parlamento, Stefano Domenicali touched on numerous subjects, together with the way forward for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. But it surely was his perception on Ferrari’s present trajectory that drew consideration. When requested concerning the workforce’s underwhelming begin to the season, Stefano Domenicali avoided criticism, as an alternative emphasizing that Ferrari seems nearer to the front-runners than some may suppose.
He revealed that he recurrently communicates with Fred Vasseur and provided the Ferrari boss a singular piece of recommendation: to maintain working with willpower, with out permitting the immense strain that naturally accompanies the Ferrari position to cloud his judgment. Stefano Domenicali conveyed his perception that Ferrari has what it takes to return to successful kind inside the 12 months, highlighting how the minimal efficiency gaps throughout the sector imply that even the smallest enhancements might shift the steadiness.
The previous Ferrari govt additionally shared a private dialog he had with Hamilton, noting that the British driver had come to grasp the immense significance of representing Ferrari. The F1 CEO identified that carrying the purple swimsuit carries a novel weight, even for a champion of Hamilton’s caliber.
Ferrari nonetheless trying to find the fitting components to unlock Hamilton’s full potential
Lewis Hamilton’s long-standing relationship with Mercedes-powered groups has made the transition to Ferrari all of the more difficult. From successful his first title with McLaren in 2008 to capturing six extra with Mercedes, Hamilton has grown accustomed to a selected technical atmosphere. Now, he finds himself adapting to a unique set of instruments, procedures, and philosophies in Maranello.
The efficiency hole between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc is presently noticeable, and insiders recommend it stems from delicate however crucial variations of their consolation with the SF-25. After the Bahrain Grand Prix, Hamilton pointed to Ferrari’s braking system for example—whereas seemingly minor, even slight discomfort in such areas can translate into misplaced tenths over a lap.
Rwandan and Belgian racing driver and tv presenter Naomi Schiff famous that Lewis Hamilton has not but discovered the proper setup for his new automobile. The Maranello workforce’s disqualification in China, brought on by the ground being too low, might have additional disrupted efforts to fine-tune the steadiness and configuration of Hamilton’s automobile.
Nonetheless, Ferrari confirmed indicators of enchancment in Sakhir, the place each automobiles secured their greatest finishes of the season to this point. The consequence prompt progress behind the scenes, even when the general tempo and steadiness nonetheless fall wanting championship-winning requirements. Because the season continues, Ferrari’s means to evolve shortly can be crucial—not only for Hamilton’s success, however for the workforce’s broader ambitions of returning to the highest of Components 1.
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