Jonas Leo
Lewis Hamilton’s perceived negative public appearances during his inaugural 2025 Formula 1 season with Ferrari do not accurately reflect his true character or his vital contribution behind the scenes, according to Team Principal Fred Vasseur. The seven-time world champion, who embarked on a new chapter with the Scuderia after 12 record-breaking seasons with Mercedes, endured arguably the most challenging year of his illustrious career, failing to secure a podium finish for the first time in his F1 tenure. This unprecedented season saw Hamilton conclude the championship in sixth position, trailing his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc by a significant 86 points.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, a decision that sent shockwaves through the sport, was met with immense anticipation. However, the reality of the 2025 campaign presented a stark contrast to expectations. The British driver, known for his transparent and emotionally expressive nature, often displayed visible frustration during media engagements. Instances ranged from concise 32-second interviews with broadcasters like Sky Sports to terse, one-word responses during written press sessions, painting a picture of profound disappointment. Yet, Vasseur maintains that this public persona was merely a front, masking a deeply committed and motivational figure within the team’s Maranello headquarters.
Vasseur, who has been at the helm of Ferrari since 2023, emphasized the importance of a driver’s genuine emotional response to underperformance. "When you are out in Q1, I hope the driver is mega upset with himself and with the team," Vasseur stated, referring to a particularly difficult period for Hamilton. The 40-year-old became the first full-time Ferrari driver to suffer three consecutive Q1 eliminations towards the end of the season, spanning from the Las Vegas Grand Prix to the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Vasseur articulated his preference for raw honesty over contrived platitudes: "I’m not sure that you, journalist, you prefer to have someone going to the TV pen saying, ‘no, everything is normal, blah, blah, blah’ – all the usual bullshit."
The Ferrari Team Principal underlined that while public displays of frustration are understandable, Hamilton’s true value lies in his internal engagement. "I respect perfectly the position of the drivers when they have this attitude," Vasseur continued. "Then the most important for me is also to have someone collaborating with the team. It’s much better to have someone not speaking in the TV pen and coming back to the debriefing, speaking with the engineers, trying to find solutions and it’s the attitude that Lewis had even when he had a tough moment in the last part of the season and this is putting a positive energy into the team."
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This internal drive, focused on problem-solving and collaboration, is critical for Ferrari as the team strives to reclaim its former glory. The Scuderia has been in pursuit of its first Constructors’ Championship title since 2008, a protracted drought for one of Formula 1’s most iconic outfits. The 2025 season saw Ferrari slip from second to fourth in the Constructors’ standings, underscoring the broader challenges faced by the team alongside Hamilton’s individual struggles.
Vasseur further elucidated his empathy for Hamilton’s situation, drawing parallels to his own experiences under media scrutiny. "Now, honestly, and I have exactly the same situation with all of you, that when you are jumping on me and I’m going down to the pitwall after a tough race and you have tonnes of questions, sometimes I don’t want to spend too much time to answer the questions." This perspective highlights the intense pressure placed on individuals within the sport, particularly after disappointing results.
A significant factor contributing to Hamilton’s challenging debut, Vasseur admitted, was the sheer magnitude of the transition from Mercedes to Ferrari. Having spent over a decade at Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, achieving six of his seven world titles and cementing his legacy, the move represented a fundamental shift in every aspect of his professional life. "It was difficult for Lewis," Vasseur conceded. "I personally underestimate the step. It’s not that we are doing worse or better, it’s that we are just doing differently. It’s not just about the food or the weather, it’s that every single software is different, every single component is different. The people around him, they were different."
This comprehensive change encompasses not only the technical intricacies of a new car – different driving dynamics, engineering philosophies, and operational procedures – but also a profound cultural adaptation. The immersion into a new team environment, with new colleagues, processes, and even a new language in some instances, presents a formidable psychological and professional hurdle for any driver, regardless of their experience or past achievements. Vasseur’s acknowledgment of underestimating this ‘step’ suggests a deeper understanding of the adjustment period required, particularly for a driver of Hamilton’s stature who has been accustomed to a finely tuned, championship-winning machine for so long.
As Ferrari looks ahead to the upcoming seasons, the focus will undoubtedly be on leveraging Hamilton’s vast experience and proven ability to develop the car and inspire the team. Vasseur’s public defense of Hamilton’s character, despite the outward signs of frustration, serves as a clear statement of confidence in the driver’s internal commitment and his potential to lead Ferrari back to the pinnacle of Formula 1. The challenge for both Hamilton and Ferrari now lies in translating that behind-the-scenes positivity into tangible on-track performance, aiming to reverse the fortunes of a disappointing 2025 campaign and mount a serious challenge for the coveted constructors’ and drivers’ titles in the future.
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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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