Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has expressed confidence in Lewis Hamilton’s readiness to shine with the Scuderia despite a challenging final season at Mercedes.
Speaking at Ferrari’s traditional Christmas media lunch, Vasseur dismissed concerns over Hamilton’s struggles during the 2024 Formula 1 season, emphasizing the seven-time world champion’s resilience and capability.
Hamilton, who officially joins Ferrari in January 2025, faced a tough season in which Mercedes teammate George Russell outperformed him in qualifying.
Russell ended the season 22 points ahead in the drivers’ standings, with both drivers clinching two race victories.
However, Vasseur highlighted Hamilton’s strong performances in the final races, particularly in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, as evidence of his enduring class.
A Difficult Farewell to Mercedes
Acknowledging Hamilton’s difficulties, Vasseur pointed to the challenges of navigating his last year with Mercedes while managing his impending move to Ferrari.
“I am really convinced, and I don’t want to blame Lewis or Mercedes, that this situation is not easy to manage,” Vasseur said. “If it is not going well, you can suffer in this relationship.”
Hamilton’s decision to sign with Ferrari in January 2024, more than a month before the season began, likely added pressure to an already complex situation.
Vasseur noted that Hamilton himself had admitted to mental strain earlier in the season but lauded the driver’s recovery in the latter stages.
“He was not very well in his mind and he was clear about this in Brazil,” Vasseur said. “But he also did very well in the last couple of events, and I am not worried at all.”
Managing Hamilton and Leclerc
One of the key challenges for Vasseur in 2025 will be balancing the dynamic between Hamilton and Ferrari’s existing star, Charles Leclerc.
Both drivers are proven competitors with aspirations of leading the team to glory, which has historically been a delicate situation for Formula 1 teams.
Vasseur, however, remained optimistic, framing the rivalry as a positive force for Ferrari’s progress. “Charles, Lewis, I am not particularly worried about this,” he said.
“They have a huge mutual respect, they know each other, and they have been talking about this for months now.”
He added that intra-team competition is an inevitable part of pushing a team forward. “It is much better to fight for first and third or second and third than to fight for 19th and 20th,” Vasseur said.
“It is a good issue for a team to have this kind of discussion and approach, and I am really convinced again that the performance of the team is coming from the emulation between the two.”
A New Chapter for Ferrari
Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari is seen as a bold move by the Italian team as they aim to end their long championship drought.
Vasseur, who played a pivotal role in securing Hamilton’s signature due to their long-standing relationship dating back to junior racing categories, is confident that the collaboration will pay off.
With two of the sport’s most talented drivers under one roof, Ferrari’s 2025 season promises high stakes, fierce competition, and renewed hope for a return to dominance.