Stefano Domenicali urges Fred Vasseur to dam out stress and keep targeted to assist Lewis Hamilton succeed at Ferrari
Frederic Vasseur, the present staff principal at Ferrari, understands Lewis Hamilton’s capabilities on the racetrack higher than most. Lengthy earlier than Hamilton started his Method 1 profession with McLaren in 2007, Fred Vasseur had already labored with the British driver throughout his dominant marketing campaign in GP2 with ART Grand Prix. Almost twenty years later, the 2 have reunited at Ferrari underneath very totally different circumstances, however the begin of their journey collectively has not mirrored the success of their earlier collaboration.
The Briton’s much-anticipated change from Mercedes to Ferrari hasn’t delivered fast outcomes. Whereas there was a short spark of optimism after the seven-time world champion clinched victory within the Dash Race in China from pole place, it proved short-lived. The primary race introduced disappointment, with each Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc disqualified because of technical infringements. Furthermore, Hamilton has overtly admitted he’s nonetheless acclimating to Ferrari’s inner methods and methodologies, making the difference section extra advanced than anticipated.
The Briton made the transfer to Ferrari with goals of following within the footsteps of icons like Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda—champions who added to their legacies in crimson. Whereas such ambitions appear out of attain in 2025, Method 1 Group CEO and former Ferrari staff boss Stefano Domenicali has supplied his perspective on how Hamilton and Ferrari can navigate the difficult highway forward.
Stefano Domenicali’s message to Fred Vasseur and Hamilton: block out stress and give attention to the main points
Talking throughout an interview on the Italian radio program La Politica nel Pallone for Rai Gr Parlamento, Stefano Domenicali touched on numerous matters, together with the way forward for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. However it was his perception on Ferrari’s present trajectory that drew consideration. When requested concerning the staff’s underwhelming begin to the season, Stefano Domenicali kept away from criticism, as a substitute emphasizing that Ferrari seems nearer to the front-runners than some may suppose.
He revealed that he recurrently communicates with Fred Vasseur and supplied the Ferrari boss a singular piece of recommendation: to maintain working with willpower, with out permitting the immense stress that naturally accompanies the Ferrari function to cloud his judgment. Stefano Domenicali conveyed his perception that Ferrari has what it takes to return to profitable kind throughout the yr, highlighting how the minimal efficiency gaps throughout the sector imply that even the smallest enhancements may shift the steadiness.
The previous Ferrari govt additionally shared a private dialog he had with Hamilton, noting that the British driver had come to know the immense significance of representing Ferrari. The F1 CEO identified that carrying the crimson go well with carries a novel weight, even for a champion of Hamilton’s caliber.
Ferrari nonetheless trying to find the precise components to unlock Hamilton’s full potential
Lewis Hamilton’s long-standing relationship with Mercedes-powered groups has made the transition to Ferrari all of the more difficult. From profitable his first title with McLaren in 2008 to capturing six extra with Mercedes, Hamilton has grown accustomed to a selected technical atmosphere. Now, he finds himself adapting to a special set of instruments, procedures, and philosophies in Maranello.
The efficiency hole between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc is presently noticeable, and insiders recommend it stems from refined however important variations of their consolation with the SF-25. After the Bahrain Grand Prix, Hamilton pointed to Ferrari’s braking system for example—whereas seemingly minor, even slight discomfort in such areas can translate into misplaced tenths over a lap.
Rwandan and Belgian racing driver and tv presenter Naomi Schiff famous that Lewis Hamilton has not but discovered the right setup for his new automobile. The Maranello staff’s disqualification in China, attributable to the ground being too low, might have additional disrupted efforts to fine-tune the steadiness and configuration of Hamilton’s automobile.
Nonetheless, Ferrari confirmed indicators of enchancment in Sakhir, the place each vehicles secured their greatest finishes of the season thus far. The end result recommended progress behind the scenes, even when the general tempo and steadiness nonetheless fall in need of championship-winning requirements. Because the season continues, Ferrari’s capability to evolve rapidly shall be important—not only for Hamilton’s success, however for the staff’s broader ambitions of returning to the highest of Method 1.