Ferrari boss cops to mistake that derailed Hamilton's Ferrari tenure
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has conceded that the scale of Lewis Hamilton’s transition to the Scuderia in 2025 may have been underestimated by both parties.
'Ferrari and Hamilton underestimated the challenge'
“I think perhaps that we underestimate the challenge for Lewis at the beginning of the season,” Vasseur told the official Formula 1 website.
“He spent almost 10 years with McLaren and then 10 years with Mercedes... that’s almost 20 years with Mercedes in the same environment.
“It was a huge change for Lewis in terms of culture, in terms of people around him, in terms of software, in terms of car, in terms of every single topic was a big change. Perhaps we underestimate this, Lewis and myself,” Vasseur admitted.
Hamilton's Hungarian Grand Prix woes and early retirement rumours
Hamilton’s difficult Hungarian Grand Prix, starting and finishing 12th, cut short any sort of pre'summer break momentum he could have had.
The Briton labelled himself 'useless' after a Q2 exit whilst having to stare in the face of teammate Charles Leclerc's pole position.
He even suggested Ferrari should 'swap drivers' on account of him being the issue.
Following the Grand Prix near Budapest Hamilton indicated that there were background issues that did not help, and was cryptic about his presence in the team following the summer break, fueling F1 retirement rumours.
Amid his tough spell at Ferrari prominent figures called for the Briton to retire from F1, with Sky Sports analyst Martin Brundle, even opening the door for the world champion to eventually step aside.
The F1 grid is set to resume activities at the end of the current month of August at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.
Popular on GPBlog
'Ex-Red Bull team boss Horner considers return to Formula 1 - In this role!'
Is this the startling reason why Ferrari renewed Vasseur?
With Hamilton and Verstappen as examples, a new F1 candidate is growing
