Ferrari: Did We Underestimate Lewis Hamilton's Team Switch?

Why it matters:

Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur has suggested the team may have underestimated the significant challenge Lewis Hamilton faced in successfully switching to the Scuderia for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Hamilton's move from Mercedes, where he had an unprecedentedly successful 12-year stint, has not yet yielded convincing results.

The big picture:

Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, has struggled for top performance since the ground-effect era began in 2022. His current season with Ferrari has seen him outqualified by teammate Charles Leclerc 13-5 and, despite a sprint win, he has yet to achieve a podium finish.

The details:

• A "complete change": Vasseur highlighted that Hamilton's previous career involved a form of continuity – 10 years at McLaren and 12 with Mercedes, both UK-based teams with the same engine environment. His switch to Ferrari represents a "complete change" in his life, team culture, and environment, which is difficult to adapt to in limited winter testing.
• Marginal differences: Vasseur emphasized that the performance gap between Hamilton and Leclerc is often marginal, speaking "about details" and differences of "plus or minus one tenth of a second." He noted that small inconsistencies in weekend preparation can lead to significant differences in results.
• Recent form: While Hamilton has shown frustration, especially after recent qualifying setbacks, Vasseur pointed to positive signs like a strong recovery in China and competitive pace in races like Monaco, Spa, and Budapest, despite unfortunate circumstances.

Vasseur's commitment:

The Ferrari boss stressed the team's full support for Hamilton, particularly when he is struggling emotionally. "He can be sure he has the full support of everybody at Maranello to recover, to be back," Vasseur stated.

Friendship with Wolff:

Vasseur also reflected on his long-standing friendship with Mercedes' Toto Wolff, acknowledging that the call informing Wolff about Hamilton's move was "not the easiest call of my life." He asserted that their professional rivalry would not diminish their personal bond.