Ferrari boss makes telling Lewis Hamilton

Ferrari boss makes telling Lewis Hamilton point as… Read More.

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has come to the defense of Lewis Hamilton, addressing concerns about the seven-time world champion’s recent struggles in qualifying. Despite Hamilton’s apparent difficulties in keeping pace with his Mercedes teammate George Russell during qualifying sessions, Vasseur remains confident in Hamilton’s abilities, particularly with regard to his race performances.

Hamilton has found himself outqualified by Russell 10 times this season, managing to outpace his teammate in only four qualifying sessions. His struggles in securing pole positions have been notable, with only one pole to his name since the introduction of the ground effect regulations in 2022. This has raised eyebrows as Hamilton is known for holding the record for the most pole positions in Formula 1 history, with 104 to his credit.

The contrast between Hamilton’s qualifying and race-day performances has been stark. While Russell has consistently outperformed him on Saturdays, Hamilton has still managed to deliver strong results on race day, securing two Grand Prix victories this season. This has led to a situation where, despite Russell’s superior qualifying record, Hamilton has accumulated more championship points for Mercedes over the course of the season.

Vasseur, who will welcome Hamilton to Ferrari next season, isn’t overly concerned about his qualifying form. The Ferrari boss pointed out that Hamilton’s experience and racecraft make up for any perceived shortcomings in one-lap pace. He emphasized that while Russell may appear faster in qualifying, Hamilton’s overall efficiency and ability to climb through the field during races are invaluable assets.

“Since the beginning of the year, everyone has been saying that Russell is faster than Hamilton, but at the moment Hamilton has scored more points for Mercedes,” Vasseur explained in an interview with Sky Italy. “I think he is a good benchmark in terms of efficiency. We know the positive aspects of Hamilton’s arrival, including his great experience in F1.”

Vasseur’s comments highlight the broader context of Hamilton’s performance, suggesting that while qualifying speed is important, it isn’t the only measure of a driver’s capabilities. The Ferrari boss seems to be placing greater emphasis on Hamilton’s race-day performances and overall contribution to the team, rather than just his Saturday results.

This perspective could be crucial next season, as Hamilton is set to partner with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari. Leclerc is widely regarded as a qualifying specialist, and his pace over a single lap has been one of his standout traits. However, Vasseur’s focus on Hamilton’s broader skill set suggests that the team isn’t overly concerned about how the Brit will match up against Leclerc in qualifying. Instead, they are likely more interested in how the two drivers can work together to deliver strong results across entire race weekends.

Hamilton himself has acknowledged his struggles in qualifying this season, admitting that it’s an area he’s been working on improving. Before the Monaco Grand Prix, he spoke about his efforts to enhance his performance, not just in qualifying, but across the entire race weekend. Hamilton admitted that Saturdays have been a weak spot for both him and the team, but he remains optimistic about turning things around as the season progresses.

“I wouldn’t say it’s not been a priority, but the whole weekend has been the priority, to improve everywhere,” Hamilton said. “Particularly since the end of last year and then all this year has been pretty bad on a Saturday. It is what it is, and I’ll continue to work at it. So far, I haven’t got it to a great place, but there’s plenty of races left to sort that out.”

Hamilton also expressed confidence in his race performances, which have remained strong despite his qualifying difficulties. He noted that while his qualifying form has been sub-par, his ability to perform well in races has allowed him to stay competitive in the championship. This, he believes, gives him enough time to address the issues with his qualifying performances without it severely impacting his overall results.

“I’m not getting too hung up on it,” Hamilton said. “My race performance is still pretty decent, so fortunately I can kind of fall back on that for now.”

As Hamilton prepares for his move to Ferrari, these insights into his mindset and Vasseur’s confidence in his abilities paint a picture of a driver who, while facing challenges, remains determined and focused on improving. With the backing of his future team boss, Hamilton will be looking to build on his strengths and iron out any weaknesses as he transitions to the next chapter of his illustrious career.

While Hamilton’s qualifying performances have been under scrutiny this season, both he and Vasseur are confident that his race-day skills and vast experience will make him a valuable asset to Ferrari. The focus appears to be on the bigger picture, with an understanding that qualifying is just one piece of the puzzle in achieving success in Formula 1.