Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur admits he and Lewis Hamilton "stupidly" underestimated the challenge of the seven-time world champion's move to the Italian squad.
Why it matters
Hamilton's debut season with Ferrari has been underwhelming, with the Brit currently P6 in the drivers' standings and without a podium finish as F1 reaches its August summer break. His struggles culminated in a low point in Hungary, where he qualified 12th and declared himself "useless."
The details
- Underestimation: Vasseur stated they "collectively, probably underestimated the change of environment, and the fact that he spent... 18 years, in this environment" at Mercedes/McLaren, before arriving at Ferrari.
- Cultural Shock: Vasseur highlighted the significant cultural difference between Ferrari and Mercedes, something they "underestimated."
- Hamilton's History: Unlike drivers such as Carlos Sainz, who frequently change teams, Hamilton spent 18 years in a largely consistent environment (McLaren was Mercedes-powered, then Mercedes itself).
- Early Struggles: Despite a Sprint pole and victory in China, Hamilton has largely struggled to adapt to the SF-25, leading to him admitting to "a real battle" and holding meetings with Ferrari bosses to improve the partnership for 2026.
What's next
Formula 1 resumes after the summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort from August 29-31.