Earlier than turning into the staff principal at Ferrari, Fred Vasseur had the chance to work intently with each Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, forging essential relationships that will show pivotal of their careers. His journey started within the junior classes and prolonged to the midfield of Formulation 1, the place he made a reputation for himself.
Frederic Vasseur’s involvement with Hamilton began in 2006 when he was main the ART GP2 staff, which employed the younger British driver for the season. Hamilton went on to win the GP2 championship, forming a robust bond with Vasseur that will show important nearly twenty years later. Hamilton, who had been a part of the McLaren-Mercedes younger driver programme since 1998, rapidly superior to an F1 race seat with McLaren. Inside two years, he grew to become a world champion.
In the meantime, Leclerc and Hamilton loved two of probably the most spectacular seasons in Formulation 2, with Hamilton simply edging forward. In 2017, Leclerc gained the F2 championship, a victory that led Ferrari to put him at Sauber.
It was right here that Leclerc first crossed paths with Frederic Vasseur, who had not too long ago joined Sauber from Renault. They spent a single season working collectively earlier than Leclerc was swiftly promoted to Ferrari’s works staff.
Nonetheless, when Mattia Binotto misplaced his job as Ferrari’s staff principal on the finish of 2022, the staff turned to Vasseur, bringing him again into the fold. Now, Vasseur will reunite with each Hamilton and Leclerc, creating a robust lineup at Maranello.
In 2022, whereas nonetheless at Sauber, Vasseur spoke about the important thing similarity he noticed between Leclerc and Hamilton, a trait that would serve Ferrari effectively. He famous that each drivers possess a robust willingness to be self-critical after any race, even when they’ve gained. Regardless of having celebrated victories, they’re at all times in search of areas for enchancment, pushed by an unyielding want to raised themselves. This relentless pursuit of progress could possibly be the important thing to breaking Ferrari’s 17-year championship drought, particularly with Vasseur on the helm, overseeing a staff of such distinctive drivers.
Fred Vasseur talked about that in his profession, he had solely encountered one different driver who was as cruel in his personal judgment when he felt his efficiency was unsatisfactory, and that was Lewis Hamilton. He added that Hamilton and Leclerc have been the one two drivers he had seen who have been self-critical even after successful a race, not like different drivers who would sometimes congratulate themselves. In keeping with the French supervisor, each Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc understood once they might have pushed higher and addressed this with relentless dedication.
Earlier than formally becoming a member of Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton despatched a non-public message to Fred Vasseur, signaling the start of what would quickly turn out to be a big collaboration. Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have already begun to develop a rapport forward of their first race collectively in Melbourne, regardless that their skilled relationship is simply starting to take form. Throughout his time at Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton was at all times cautious about discussing Ferrari in an excessive amount of element, but the 2 drivers did discover frequent floor of their mutual pursuits outdoors the racetrack, sharing insights and constructing a basis for what lies forward.
There’s widespread perception amongst F1 followers that Ferrari now boasts one of many strongest driver lineups on the grid. Nonetheless, the street forward gained’t be with out its challenges for Fred Vasseur. One pundit even speculated that Hamilton would possibly insist on a no-team-orders clause in his contract, realizing the aggressive nature he brings to the staff and his want for full autonomy on the observe.
Moreover, Fred Vasseur faces the duty of reigniting the type of a legendary driver who’s coming off a considerably disappointing season. This might doubtlessly be as simple as offering Hamilton with a extra aggressive automotive, however the actual query stays how lengthy it’ll take for Hamilton to regain his full confidence. Privately, Hamilton has confided in Fred Vasseur, providing insights into the difficulties he confronted in qualifying, and understanding the basis causes of his struggles. If the French supervisor is ready to tackle these points, he’ll possible stay optimistic about Hamilton’s potential to bounce again and return to the highest of his recreation.
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