Ferrari chief admits Hamilton health...

Ferrari chief admits Hamilton health…read more

Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, has provided a strong endorsement of Lewis Hamilton, despite the British driver’s challenging 2024 season with Mercedes. As Hamilton prepares for a switch to Ferrari in 2025, Vasseur has dismissed concerns about the seven-time world champion’s form, particularly after a difficult year with his current team.

Hamilton, widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history, enjoyed unprecedented success with Mercedes, securing six of his seven world titles and 84 of his 105 Grand Prix victories during a dominant 12-year tenure with the team. However, in the latter stages of his career at Mercedes, particularly in 2024, Hamilton struggled to replicate his earlier form. In the 2024 season, Hamilton finished a disappointing seventh in the drivers’ standings, trailing his teammate George Russell, who consistently outperformed him both in qualifying and race results. The contrasting fortunes between Hamilton and Russell raised questions about Hamilton’s future, especially with his long-awaited move to Ferrari.

In 2025, Hamilton will join Ferrari in what is expected to be his final attempt at securing an unprecedented eighth World Championship. This would not only cement his status as the most successful F1 driver of all time but also solidify his place in the sport’s history. Despite the intense pressure to perform, particularly with the arrival of a new teammate in Charles Leclerc, there have been doubts about how Hamilton will adapt to Ferrari’s car, especially given his performance in 2024.

Vasseur, however, remains unconcerned by these doubts. Speaking to Sky Sports, he reflected on Hamilton’s performance during the final few races of the 2024 season, emphasizing that his struggles in qualifying were not necessarily indicative of a permanent decline in his abilities. He pointed out that Hamilton had strong performances in races like those in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, proving that the British driver could still be highly competitive when the conditions were right.

Vasseur further emphasized that he had never been worried about Hamilton’s form, even when there were noticeable struggles earlier in the season. “I was never – really, never, never, never – worried about this situation,” Vasseur said, reassuring fans and the media alike. He acknowledged that managing such a tough period in a driver’s career could be challenging, particularly when team dynamics were strained, but he understood that such situations could be difficult to navigate. Vasseur also acknowledged the psychological challenges Hamilton had faced throughout the season, particularly when things were not going well, which is not uncommon in high-pressure environments like F1.

While Vasseur was candid about Hamilton’s mental state late in the season, admitting that the seven-time champion had concerns over his well-being, he also emphasized that Hamilton had been open about his struggles. The Ferrari boss mentioned that Hamilton had addressed his mental state in Brazil, but also noted that the driver had rebounded strongly in the closing stages of the season. Vasseur expressed confidence that Hamilton’s mental and physical state would not be an issue heading into the 2025 season. “He was not very well in his mind, but he was clear in Brazil about this,” Vasseur stated. “But he also did very well in the last couple of events, so I’m not worried at all.”

This confidence from Vasseur is significant, especially as Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari is seen as a pivotal moment in his career. With a new team and fresh motivation, Hamilton will aim to reclaim the championship title that has eluded him in recent years. The pressure will be immense, especially given the competitive nature of Formula 1, but Vasseur’s faith in Hamilton suggests that Ferrari believes in the British driver’s ability to perform at the highest level despite the challenges of the past season.

As Hamilton gears up for what could be his final chapter in Formula 1, the 2025 season promises to be a defining moment in his career. With Ferrari’s backing, a renewed focus, and the desire to make history, Hamilton will be hoping to end his illustrious career on a high note, with an eighth world title.