BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton Hits Back as Fred Vasseur Takes Criti

Lewis Hamilton Hits Back at Mid-Season Replacement Rumours Amid ‘Horrendous’ Slump in Form – Fred Vasseur Takes Critical Decision

Lewis Hamilton has spoken out defiantly against swirling rumours suggesting a possible mid-season replacement at Ferrari, amid what has been described as a “horrendous” slump in his early 2025 Formula 1 campaign. The seven-time world champion, who made a sensational move to Ferrari from Mercedes ahead of the season, has endured a string of underwhelming performances – prompting speculation that the Scuderia may be losing patience.

Hamilton, who is yet to score a podium finish after five rounds, addressed the rumours head-on during a press session ahead of the upcoming Grand Prix. Clad in Ferrari red and maintaining a calm yet assertive tone, Hamilton insisted, “I’ve heard the noise, and to be honest, it’s just that – noise. I’m here to do a job, and while results haven’t been what we want, no one is more determined than I am to turn this around.”

His remarks came shortly after social media was set ablaze by a viral image showing Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur holding a document – widely rumoured to be Hamilton’s contract – with later images appearing to show the paper engulfed in flames. While the dramatic imagery has sparked heated debate among fans, team insiders have dismissed the visual as symbolic rather than literal.

Sources close to the team suggest that Vasseur has indeed taken a “critical decision”, but it is not related to terminating Hamilton’s contract. Rather, it is believed to concern the internal technical direction of Ferrari’s development strategy, potentially involving a reshuffling of Hamilton’s engineering crew and prioritising updates to address the Briton’s specific driving preferences. Ferrari’s SF-25 chassis, though showing flashes of promise under Charles Leclerc, has proven to be an ill fit for Hamilton’s style – especially in low-speed corners where grip and stability are paramount.

Vasseur, when questioned about the photos and contract speculation, offered a characteristically measured response: “There’s a lot of noise out there, but internally, we know what our objectives are. Lewis is one of the greatest in the sport, and this is a long-term project. We are not in the business of short-term panic.”

Despite the backing, the pressure on Hamilton remains intense. Critics have pointed to the stark contrast in performance between him and teammate Charles Leclerc, who has notched two podiums and currently sits third in the drivers’ standings. Questions have arisen about whether the Ferrari-Hamilton partnership – once hailed as a dream team – is at risk of faltering under expectations.

Yet Hamilton remains unshaken. “Every driver goes through rough patches. I’ve come back from worse. We’re working relentlessly behind the scenes, and I believe in what we’re building here at Ferrari,” he said.

The coming races will be crucial. If results do not improve, Ferrari’s management may face mounting pressure to demonstrate progress. However, replacing Hamilton mid-season appears off the table for now – not only due to contractual obligations but also because of the immense value he brings in terms of experience, global fan engagement, and long-term strategic alignment.

As one paddock observer put it, “Ferrari didn’t bring Lewis in for five races – they brought him in to win championships.”

Hamilton’s response to the rumours may have just reignited the fire within – now it’s up to him and Ferrari to prove the doubters wrong on track.