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Vasseur Admits Underestimating Hamilton's Ferrari Struggles
19 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Fred Vasseur underestimated Lewis Hamilton's challenges in his first Ferrari season.
- Hamilton endured his first winless, podium-less season in 19 years.
- Small details and team differences presented a bigger hurdle than expected.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur confessed to underestimating the magnitude of challenges Lewis Hamilton encountered in his debut season with the Italian racing team. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, moved from Mercedes but struggled significantly, marking his first winless and podium-less season in a 19-year career.
Vasseur explained that the transition for Hamilton involved more than just environmental changes; every system and component differed, leading to a loss of crucial hundredths of a second. He highlighted that the competitive nature of Formula 1 means such small deficits, accumulated across multiple areas, significantly impact performance.
Looking ahead to 2026, Vasseur stressed the need for continuous improvement from both the team and Hamilton to unlock his full potential. He believes that a deeper mutual understanding and focus on refining numerous small details, rather than seeking a single 'magic bullet,' will be key to success.
