Ferrari Admits Underestimating Hamilton's Adaptation Challenge
Why it matters: Lewis Hamilton's highly anticipated move to Ferrari for 2025 has not yet delivered the expected results, prompting the team to acknowledge significant challenges in his adaptation.
The big picture: Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has admitted that both he and Hamilton collectively underestimated the difficulty of the transition, especially given Hamilton's long tenure with Mercedes-aligned teams.
The details:
- Performance so far: Despite a Sprint race win in China and a third place in Miami, Hamilton has yet to secure a Grand Prix podium. His best qualifying result is fourth, and he faced an emotional low at the Hungarian Grand Prix, calling himself "useless" after a Q2 elimination.
- Vasseur's perspective: Vasseur explained that Hamilton spent 18 years (2006-2024) in the same environment, first with McLaren (a Mercedes partner) and then Mercedes. He contrasts this with drivers like Carlos Sainz, who frequently change teams and are more accustomed to adaptation.
- Cultural gap: Vasseur noted a larger cultural difference between Ferrari and Mercedes than between Mercedes and McLaren, which was also underestimated.
- Adaptation timeline: Hamilton took about four or five races to feel more in control, showing improvement from Canada through Austria. Challenging weekends in Belgium and Hungary were attributed to specific details rather than a fundamental lack of pace.
- "Stupidity" admission: "We were stupidly expecting that he will have everything under control," Vasseur stated, reflecting on their initial optimism.
- Fixing the issues: Vasseur believes Hamilton isn't struggling with one major problem, but rather many small aspects that cumulatively affect performance. The team is addressing these "point by point" to provide him with the necessary platform.
- Familiar faces: The presence of former Mercedes colleagues like technical chief Loic Serra and deputy team principal Jerome D'Ambrosio, along with performance engineer Luca Diella, has aided Hamilton's acclimatization.
- Impact of small margins: Vasseur highlighted how minor issues, even half a tenth of a second, can drastically alter results, determining whether a driver reaches Q3 or finishes P12.
- Hamilton's self-criticism: Vasseur was not alarmed by Hamilton's "useless" comment, viewing it as a common trait among top drivers who are highly demanding of themselves and their teams.
What's next: Ferrari continues its focused efforts to address the detailed issues affecting Hamilton's performance, aiming to unlock his full potential within the team.