Vasseur Praises Hamilton's Pace Amidst Late-Season Charge

Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur has lauded Lewis Hamilton's recent pace, despite a penalty at the Mexico Grand Prix, indicating the team's satisfaction with his contribution to their late-season resurgence. Hamilton, who achieved his best qualifying result of the season in Mexico, is showing strong performance, which Vasseur believes is a key factor in Ferrari's ongoing push.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's improved performance in the latter half of the season is crucial for their long-term ambitions, and having a driver of Hamilton's caliber consistently performing at a high level, especially in terms of raw pace, is a significant asset. Vasseur's comments underscore the team's belief in Hamilton's ability to extract performance, which is vital for challenging the frontrunners and building momentum for future seasons.

The Details:

• Hamilton's strong pace was evident in Mexico, where he achieved his best qualifying result of the season, starting third. This performance came despite a 10-second time penalty during the race for leaving the track and gaining an advantage, which ultimately dropped him to eighth.
• Vasseur pointed out similar strong performances from Hamilton, such as in Monaco, where he also faced a grid penalty, demonstrating a pattern of underlying speed despite setbacks.
• The Ferrari team principal highlighted Hamilton's ability to quickly adapt, noting that he jumped into the car in FP2 after missing FP1 and was immediately competitive, positioning himself between Norris and Russell.
• Vasseur expressed satisfaction that Hamilton is "completely part of the comeback," emphasizing the positive "emulation" within the team, which is beneficial for their overall performance.

Between the lines:

Vasseur's vocal support for Hamilton, even when discussing penalties, suggests a strategic alignment and mutual trust. His criticism of the severity of the 10-second penalty in Mexico, calling it "not very well managed," indicates a protective stance towards his driver and a belief that the punishment did not fit the incident, especially when considering other track limit infringements by competitors.

What's next:

With four rounds remaining in the current campaign, the focus will be on whether Hamilton can translate his strong pace into a Grand Prix podium finish, ending his podium-free streak. The team's current trajectory, fueled by both drivers' performances, suggests that a breakthrough could be imminent, building confidence and setting the stage for a stronger challenge in the upcoming seasons.