Lewis Hamilton asks to stop inventing things while Ferrari clarifies rumors about Fred Vasseur
Lewis Hamilton has expressed that it is not nice to read the speculation about Fred Vasseur’s position as director of the Ferrari team, which would allegedly be under scrutiny. On Thursday, several Italian media suggested that Vasseur faces great pressure in their role, and that Antonello Coletta, head of the Ferrari Wec team could be considered to replace it. Coletta has supervised Ferrari’s two consecutive victories in the 24 hours of Le Mans in the last two years.
According to the Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport, Vasseur has been questioned because Ferrari has backed up its performance after having finished 2024 with perhaps the fastest car of the grill. However, the SF-25 has not reached the same successes as the car of the previous year, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton struggling to end regularly on the podium, while McLaren and Red Bull have led in victories. Ferrari is 19 McLaren points after the first nine races, which practically eliminates his options to the championship and has generated rumors about Vasseur’s future.
In addition, the Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport has indicated that the next three races – they give a prize of Canada, Austria and Great Britain – will be crucial for the future of Vasseur in Ferrari and will be used to decide if he continues to the front of the team.
When consulted by Planetf1.com to clarify these rumors, Ferrari denied them categorically, qualifying them as a complete invention. Before the Canada Grand Prix, Hamilton spoke on the subject and stressed that Vasseur was the main reason why he decided to join Ferrari, since it was he who contacted him at the end of 2023. Hamilton said: “It is not pleasant to hear stories so they circulate. First, I love to work with Fred. Fred is the main reason why I am in this team and I had the opportunity to be here. Together in this and working hard behind the scene.
Rumors even linked Ferrari with an attempt to attract the chief of Red Bull, Christian Horner, although Horner clarified in an exclusive interview with Planetf1.com that his “heart and soul are with Red Bull.”
The speculation about Vasseur began during the weekend of the Grand Prix of Spain and intensified with the report of Corriere dello Sport. Hamilton showed his discontent with these statements and clarified that he would not support Vasseur replace Less than I know, and I would certainly support him. ”
Fred Vasseur assumed the position of Ferrari director before the 2023 season, replacing Mattia Binotto, and has made the team take a clear step forward in organization and strategy, in addition to having one of the fastest cars in 2024. This progress raised the expectations for the season, especially after the incorporation of Hamilton, seven times world champion of F1, in search of a record title. However, Ferrari’s decision to change the design of the car, especially the front suspension, has left the team fighting minor results. Hamilton has also had difficulty adapting rapidly, which has generated criticism in partial media.
Hamilton believes that Vasseur needs more time to implement changes and mold the equipment in its own way, especially in the face of the revolutionary regulations that will arrive in 2026. He and Vasseur are compromised in the long term: “Incorporate new people, whether they are pilots, engineers or management personnel, it takes time and the impact is significant. So that is not in discussion. I am here to win with Fred and have all my support. Do not compete, I just started my first year with Ferrari and I will be here for several years.
