Stefano Domenicali urges Fred Vasseur to dam out stress and keep targeted to assist Lewis Hamilton succeed at Ferrari
Frederic Vasseur, the present crew principal at Ferrari, understands Lewis Hamilton’s capabilities on the racetrack higher than most. Lengthy earlier than Hamilton started his System 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 swap from Mercedes to Ferrari hasn’t delivered instant outcomes. Whereas there was a quick 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 as a result of technical infringements. Furthermore, Hamilton has brazenly admitted he’s nonetheless acclimating to Ferrari’s inner programs and methodologies, making the variation section extra complicated than anticipated.
The Briton made the transfer to Ferrari with desires of following within the footsteps of icons like Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda—champions who added to their legacies in purple. Whereas such ambitions appear out of attain in 2025, System 1 Group CEO and former Ferrari crew boss Stefano Domenicali has supplied his perspective on how Hamilton and Ferrari can navigate the difficult street forward.
Stefano Domenicali’s message to Fred Vasseur and Hamilton: block out stress and deal with the small print
Talking throughout an interview on the Italian radio program La Politica nel Pallone for Rai Gr Parlamento, Stefano Domenicali touched on varied subjects, together with the way forward for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. But it surely was his perception on Ferrari’s present trajectory that drew consideration. When requested concerning the crew’s underwhelming begin to the season, Stefano Domenicali shunned criticism, as an alternative emphasizing that Ferrari seems nearer to the front-runners than some would possibly suppose.
He revealed that he repeatedly communicates with Fred Vasseur and supplied the Ferrari boss a singular piece of recommendation: to maintain working with dedication, with out permitting the immense stress that naturally accompanies the Ferrari position to cloud his judgment. Stefano Domenicali conveyed his perception that Ferrari has what it takes to return to successful type inside the 12 months, highlighting how the minimal efficiency gaps throughout the sector imply that even the smallest enhancements might shift the stability.
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 purple swimsuit carries a singular weight, even for a champion of Hamilton’s caliber.
Ferrari nonetheless trying to find the suitable formulation 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 tougher. From successful his first title with McLaren in 2008 to capturing six extra with Mercedes, Hamilton has grown accustomed to a specific technical surroundings. 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 at present noticeable, and insiders counsel it stems from delicate however vital variations of their consolation with the SF-25. After the Bahrain Grand Prix, Hamilton pointed to Ferrari’s braking system for instance—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 proper setup for his new automotive. The Maranello crew’s disqualification in China, attributable to the ground being too low, might have additional disrupted efforts to fine-tune the stability and configuration of Hamilton’s automotive.
Nonetheless, Ferrari confirmed indicators of enchancment in Sakhir, the place each automobiles secured their finest finishes of the season thus far. The outcome prompt progress behind the scenes, even when the general tempo and stability nonetheless fall in need of championship-winning requirements. Because the season continues, Ferrari’s capability to evolve rapidly will probably be vital—not only for Hamilton’s success, however for the crew’s broader ambitions of returning to the highest of System 1.
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