Jonas Leo
The relentless glare of media scrutiny has exacted a significant psychological toll on the personnel within Ferrari’s Formula 1 team, according to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Speaking during a challenging 2025 season for the Maranello-based Scuderia, Hamilton highlighted the pervasive negative narratives and their far-reaching impact on individuals beyond the immediate confines of the racetrack.
Ferrari entered the 2025 season burdened by a potent mix of cautious public declarations and soaring internal and external expectations. Following a commendable 2024 campaign where they narrowly missed the Constructors’ Championship title by a mere 14 points to McLaren, the Italian outfit was widely anticipated to mount a formidable challenge for top honors. However, the season has unfolded dramatically differently, with Ferrari failing to secure a single race victory to date. With the final race in Abu Dhabi fast approaching, the prospect of a winless year for the storied team looms large, a stark contrast to the pre-season optimism. Hamilton, himself a high-profile addition to the team, has also struggled, failing to reach the podium in any Grand Prix this season.
The intense pressure on Ferrari is amplified by the fervent and often unforgiving Italian media. The Scuderia, arguably the most iconic team in Formula 1 history, operates under a microscope unlike any other, where every decision, performance fluctuation, and strategic misstep is dissected with passionate intensity. This scrutiny reached a zenith earlier in the season when, in June, reputable Italian publications such as La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera widely reported rumors regarding the potential sacking of Team Principal Frederic Vasseur. While Vasseur ultimately retained his position, the episode underscored the volatile environment in which the team operates. Hamilton’s recent comments suggest that this relentless media attention extends beyond the leadership, permeating the entire organization.
"The negativity that’s constantly within the media and everything like that, that affects them," Hamilton observed, pointing to the broader human element of the high-stakes sport. He elaborated on the ripple effect of such criticism, noting, "They get home to their wives and their wives say ‘they’ve been saying this about where you work’, and I’m sure that’s tough, and the kids, and all those things. So there’s a huge effect on lots of people." This insight from a driver of Hamilton’s stature, who has navigated decades of intense media focus, provides a rare glimpse into the personal cost borne by team members in the pursuit of sporting excellence. It highlights the often-unseen emotional burden placed on engineers, mechanics, strategists, and support staff, whose professional lives are inextricably linked to the team’s public perception and performance.
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When confronted with Hamilton’s observations regarding the "negative feeling in the team, particularly because of comments by the media, but also other reasons," Team Principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledged the challenge but maintained a resolute stance on the team’s operational philosophy. Vasseur, while conceding that such external pressures are "not helping," underscored the fundamental responsibility of the team to deliver results. "It’s our job that you know that you do good results," he stated. He emphasized the necessity for the team to maintain internal focus amidst external noise, advocating for a "bubble" mentality to extract maximum performance from available resources.
Vasseur further drew parallels with the resilience demonstrated by competitors, citing Max Verstappen’s ability to rebound from challenging situations. He referenced an instance where Verstappen qualified P8 and finished P9 in a race, only to subsequently embark on a winning streak. "Quite often you are world champion, you are in a tough session, you are nowhere, but as a team we have to stay in our bubble and try to get the best from what we have," Vasseur explained. "Max was able to do it. He was
Ferrari’s struggles in 2025 have been compounded by a strategic decision to halt development on their current SF-25 car as early as late April. This move was made to channel resources and engineering efforts primarily towards the significant technical regulation changes slated for the 2026 Formula 1 season. While a forward-looking strategy, it has undeniably impacted their competitive standing in the latter half of the current season. The decision contributed to a pronounced late-season slump, which saw Ferrari slide out of contention for second or even third place in the Constructors’ Championship standings, further exacerbating the team’s frustrations and media criticism.
in quali in Budapest, he was
Interestingly, Hamilton voiced support for this strategic pivot. "The development has not been an issue," he asserted. "I wanted them to move to next year’s car. I wanted to make sure we started early." His perspective highlights an internal alignment on the long-term vision, even if it means sacrificing short-term competitive gains. This suggests a calculated risk taken by the team, one that prioritizes future success under new regulations over salvaging a difficult current season.
in the race, and then he started to win races. It means that you can come back." This example serves as a managerial call to action, reminding the team that setbacks are part of the competitive landscape and that a strong internal focus is crucial for recovery and future success.
Ferrari’s struggles in 2025 have been compounded by a strategic decision to halt development on their current SF-25 car as early as late April. This move was made to channel resources and engineering efforts primarily towards the significant technical regulation changes slated for the 2026 Formula 1 season. While a forward-looking strategy, it has undeniably impacted their competitive standing in the latter half of the current season. The decision contributed to a pronounced late-season slump, which saw Ferrari slide out of contention for second or even third place in the Constructors’ Championship standings, further exacerbating the team’s frustrations and media criticism.
Interestingly, Hamilton voiced support for this strategic pivot. "The development has not been an issue," he asserted. "I wanted them to move to next year’s car. I wanted to make sure we started early." His perspective highlights an internal alignment on the long-term vision, even if it means sacrificing short-term competitive gains. This suggests a calculated risk taken by the team, one that prioritizes future success under new regulations over salvaging a difficult current season.
The immediate consequences of this strategy and the car’s performance were acutely visible at the Qatar Grand Prix. Both Ferrari drivers presented visibly downcast figures in the media pen, reflecting the team’s struggles with the SF-25, which proved even more unstable than usual on the Losail track. Their public pessimism underscored the growing frustration within the driving lineup. Vasseur acknowledged these sentiments, stating, "I can understand their frustration. And trust me, if you asked me the question when I’m on the pitwall at the end of the session, I think I would have replied probably with the same words. And I understand their frustration in the TV pen." However, he reiterated the crucial next step: "Now the most important is when they are back into the garage with the mechanics, the engineers, to try to find a solution." This reflects Vasseur’s approach of acknowledging emotional responses while swiftly redirecting focus towards constructive problem-solving within the team’s operational framework.
The 2025 season for Ferrari represents a period of significant challenge, both on track and in managing the intense external pressures characteristic of the Scuderia. Hamilton’s insights underscore the human element behind the headlines, revealing the profound impact of media scrutiny on individuals and their families. As Ferrari looks ahead to the Abu Dhabi finale and the strategic pivot towards the 2026 regulations, the ability to insulate its personnel from external negativity while fostering internal resilience will be paramount to navigating this pivotal period in its storied history. The path forward for Maranello hinges not only on technical innovation but also on the collective mental fortitude of its entire team.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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