Fred Vasseur admits Ferrari "naively" expected Lewis Hamilton to adapt seamlessly, finding he's "not like Carlos Sainz." Meanwhile, Toto Wolff insists one should "never write off" Hamilton, citing a trend of strong second-half performance.
Why it matters:
These insights highlight the challenges even a seasoned champion like Hamilton faces when switching teams, and the enduring belief from his former boss. Ford's increasing commitment to Red Bull signals a serious push for the 2026 power unit era, and Valtteri Bottas's unique penalty situation adds an unusual twist to his anticipated comeback.
The big picture:
Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari Adjustment:
- Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledges their "naive" assumption about Hamilton's easy adaptation.
- Vasseur notes Hamilton's adaptation process differs significantly from that of Carlos Sainz, who has more experience changing teams.
- This suggests a steeper learning curve for Hamilton at Maranello than initially expected.
Toto Wolff's Backing for Hamilton:
- Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff maintains that Hamilton should "never" be written off despite his challenging start at Ferrari.
- Wolff points to a historical trend of Hamilton performing "strong" in the second half of a Formula 1 season.
Ford's Deepening Red Bull Partnership:
- Ford initially showed little interest in the internal combustion engine (ICE) part of the 2026 F1 power unit project with Red Bull.
- However, Ford motorsport chief Mark Rushbrook confirms they are now involved in almost "the entire car," including the ICE.
- This signifies a much deeper collaboration as F1 moves towards new regulations.
Valtteri Bottas's Unique Penalty:
- Valtteri Bottas is set to join Cadillac for the 2026 F1 season.
- He will serve a grid penalty from his most recent F1 race upon his return in 2026.
- This unusual situation means Bottas starts his new chapter with a handicap from his last competitive appearance.