Fred Vasseur: Praise from Hamilton and Leclerc would 'destroy' me

Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur has stated that the last thing he wants to hear from his star drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, is that the team is doing a good job. Following a challenging 2025 season where the SF-25's development fell short of expectations, Vasseur emphasized that the relentless pursuit of improvement is the core DNA for both himself and his drivers.

Why it matters:

In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, complacency is the enemy of progress. Vasseur's philosophy underscores Ferrari's internal drive to return to championship contention, rejecting any notion of satisfaction with their current state. This mindset is critical as the team navigates the high-profile integration of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton and aims to rebuild a car capable of fighting for titles, especially with a major regulatory reset looming in 2026.

The details:

• Vasseur explicitly stated he would be "destroyed" if his drivers praised the team's performance, insisting their role is to constantly identify areas for improvement in every department, from aerodynamics to simulator work.
• He downplayed media reports about Hamilton submitting detailed feedback documents, calling such coverage "naive" and clarifying that drivers provide post-race reports and suggestions as a standard, integral part of their job.
• Ferrari's 2025 season was marked by a performance dip after a strong 2024, with Hamilton experiencing a particularly tough campaign that ended with three consecutive Q1 eliminations in qualifying.
• Team figures, including Head of Track Engineering Matteo Togninalli, have publicly stated that the internal relationship with Hamilton is "extremely positive" and that external perceptions of struggle are "much worse than what it is" internally.

The big picture:

Vasseur's comments reflect a team culture being reshaped under his leadership, one that prioritizes brutal honesty and continuous development over comfort. This approach is being tested during a transitional period that combines the pressure of integrating a legendary driver with the frustration of an uncompetitive car. The team's ability to channel this critical feedback into tangible performance gains for the 2026 project will be the ultimate measure of this philosophy's success.