Fred Vasseur’s influence in his role as Ferrari Formula 1 boss has helped it become “more united as a team than ever before”, according to Lewis Hamilton.
The Scuderia has undoubtedly suffered across the current season, especially having entered it as the favourites to be the closest challengers to McLaren.
But whilst the SF-25 was good on paper, it has not been so good on tarmac, with Hamilton taking a solitary Sprint Race win in China, and Charles Leclerc achieving five podiums.
The results compared to its expectations have caused inevitable speculation about Vasseur’s security in the role, which led to a furious tirade at the Italian press in Canada.
Both Hamilton and Leclerc, who have strong bonds with Vasseur via working relationships prior to Ferrari, were quick to defend the Frenchman.
And with support coming from Carlos Sainz, the man Vasseur ousted in favour of Hamilton, he was officially confirmed as having agreed a mutual long-term commitment to the team.
Hamilton has naturally endured his own misery this season, having yet to achieve a full Grand Prix podium in Ferrari red, and credits Vasseur’s backing as an example of the strong leadership the team is enjoying.
“Fred’s support in me has been amazing,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“It’s not been the perfect year as we know, but there’s been a lot of learnings. I think we’re just going from strength to strength.
“I think we are more solid and more united as a team than ever before. I think there’s clearly things that we need to improve on, but we’re under no illusions that that’s the case.
“Everyone’s just flat out focused on improving the processes. Right now, races like that, each race we’re learning something.
“We look at the last race and our shortcomings, for example, are things that it’s better to have now when we’re not fighting for a championship than in the moment we are.”
Hamilton backs Vasseur to reverse Ferrari fortunes
Leclerc previously drove for Vasseur at Alfa Romeo, and Hamilton even further back – when he took the GP2 title in 2006, which prompted his F1 promotion at McLaren.
When asked if Vasseur has changed in 19 years, Hamilton joked that there is literally no difference in him.
“Not Fred! Fred still wears the same clothes,” he quipped. “He’s exactly the same as he was. Everything is exactly the same, generally.
“I always admired him heavily when I was in the lower categories, the way he worked with the team. He’s a straight shooter, clearly a massive competitor.
“But I always admired him. I came from a couple of different teams, they’re focused on where they spend their money. He was on other areas.
“He was all about aerodynamics and performance. That’s what he’s all about today. He’s all about car performance. Which I think is the strength of his.”
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