Ferrari’s Struggles Proceed as Hamilton Faces Mounting Stress and Vasseur’s Future Hangs within the Stability
Scuderia Ferrari’s 2025 Formulation 1 marketing campaign has didn’t ship on the momentum constructed final season, leaving the crew adrift within the midfield with little to rejoice after ten Grands Prix. Except for a Dash Race triumph in Shanghai, the Italian aspect stays winless in conventional race codecs, falling properly in need of preseason expectations.
The temporary second of success in China got here courtesy of Lewis Hamilton, who claimed victory within the Dash. Nevertheless, that prime level was short-lived. Each Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc had been disqualified from the Grand Prix that weekend resulting from extreme plank put on — a technical infringement that nullified any hope of capitalising on their velocity.
Since then, Leclerc has managed to safe three podium finishes, offering Ferrari with some comfort. In the meantime, Lewis Hamilton, regardless of being one of the vital embellished drivers in Formulation 1 historical past, stays and not using a top-three consequence this season. He continues to chase his elusive 203rd podium and has positioned his hopes on a brand new rear suspension improve, which he believes may resolve a few of his efficiency points. Whether or not the technical adjustment will are available in time to reverse his fortunes in 2025 stays unsure.
These ongoing setbacks have intensified scrutiny over crew principal Fred Vasseur’s place on the helm. Regardless of overseeing seen progress in 2024, the Ferrari crew boss is now going through mounting hypothesis relating to his job safety. His management is reportedly below assessment, notably with Ferrari’s growth path in the direction of the brand new 2026 rules already underway.
Whereas Fred Vasseur has dismissed such rumours and stays defiant within the face of mounting stress, questions are being raised about whether or not he has the backing wanted to climate the storm — notably when evaluating his state of affairs to previous Ferrari management eras.
Lewis Hamilton, talking within the lead-up to the Canadian Grand Prix, was adamant in his help for Fred Vasseur. He made it clear that the French supervisor was instrumental in bringing him to Maranello and expressed gratitude for that chance. The seven-time Formulation 1 world champion acknowledged that the pair had been dedicated to working collectively to enhance Ferrari’s competitiveness and that he genuinely believed Vasseur was the suitable individual to guide the crew into a brand new period.
Nevertheless, Swiss publication Blick offered a extra essential view, suggesting that Hamilton’s arrival had disrupted inside concord inside Ferrari. The outlet additionally highlighted that Fred Vasseur’s non-Italian heritage might hinder his capacity to attach with the crew in the identical means former president Luca di Montezemolo as soon as did, claiming he lacks the power to “breathe the soul” of Ferrari.
These comparisons have drawn consideration to a different iconic period in Maranello. Within the late Nineteen Nineties, Michael Schumacher wielded appreciable affect inside Ferrari and famously protected crew boss Jean Todt from being ousted. When Todt’s job was on the road in 1996, Schumacher made it clear he would stroll away if the Frenchman was dismissed — a daring transfer that in the end solidified Ferrari’s golden age.
Lewis Hamilton, regardless of his legacy and expertise, shouldn’t be believed to carry the identical degree of authority inside the present Ferrari construction. Ought to chairman John Elkann resolve a management change is required, it’s unlikely Lewis Hamilton may intervene with the identical affect as Schumacher as soon as did.
Throughout the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, Lewis Hamilton voiced issues over a difficulty together with his Ferrari through crew radio — an issue that had not been instantly obvious to viewers or commentators. The 40-year-old’s suggestions mirrored deeper frustrations which have outlined a lot of his debut season with the crew.
For Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari with hopes of securing an eighth world title and cementing his place among the many Scuderia’s all-time greats, the trail forward is more and more unsure. Whereas his legacy within the sport is already safe, he is aware of that true adoration from the Tifosi will solely come if he can ship them a long-awaited championship.
As Ferrari struggles with inconsistency and inside rigidity, the way forward for each Lewis Hamilton’s championship ambitions and the Frenchman’s management stays up within the air. The subsequent few races may show decisive for the crew’s trajectory — and for the people now on the coronary heart of its challenges.