Vasseur sets record straight on Hamilton's frustrations, Ferrari decision
Scuderia Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has insisted that the team’s decision to halt development on its 2025 car early has had little impact on Lewis Hamilton’s mindset.
“It's an emotional comment, and that’s life. I perfectly understand the emotion.”- Fred Vasseur
The 57-year-old, who spoke to GPblog in Qatar, emphasised that Ferrari’s decision did not fuel the British driver’s reactions.
“When you are making decisions around the table – okay, we have this plan, and we can do this – the gradient of development is this one for the new car, this one for the old car. If you continue to develop the old car, you will catch up to McLaren in ten races or so; it's a rational decision,” he explained.
Vasseur also noted that emotional reactions from both Hamilton and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc are understandable, given the team’s recent struggles on track.
“But, when you are going to the TV pen, it's an emotional comment, and that’s life. I perfectly understand the emotion. It’s when they are speaking on the radio that they are putting so much energy into the weekend. Honestly, they are pushing.”
“Charles [Leclerc], on the radio at the end of the race, said that he pushed like hell from lap one on Friday morning all the way to the last lap of the race. I think he was probably pushing more than on some weekends when he won races,” Vasseur added.
He concluded by stating that if the drivers were asked to make the same decisions again, they would likely do so without hesitation.
“I understand, the frustration comes from pushing like hell to finish P8 or P9. As a driver, if you could redo the choices, I think they would be okay with it.”
The Ferrari team has endured a torrid 2025 campaign so far. The Italian outfit remains without a victory, and last time out at the Qatar Grand Prix, both drivers mustered a total of four points from the 33 available over the Grand Prix and sprint weekend.
Read also
Vasseur responds to Ferrari drivers’ frustration at Qatar
Earlier, Vasseur addressed the post-race frustration both his drivers showed at the Qatar Grand Prix. The French motorsports chief reiterated that it was completely understandable, with the heat of the moment playing a part in their statements.
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