F1 NEWS: Hamilton can get first win in red now’ Ferrari can fight McLaren!… Read more
Hamilton Can Secure First Win in Red as Ferrari Targets McLaren
Ferrari’s 2025 Formula One campaign has been far from straightforward, but team principal Frédéric Vasseur insists there is still reason for optimism. Despite a season riddled with frustrations, the Frenchman believes Ferrari are edging closer to a long-awaited victory and can realistically challenge McLaren, who have largely set the pace in this year’s championship.
Vasseur’s confidence stems from more than just preparation for the looming 2026 regulation overhaul. He points to tangible progress made with the SF-25, a car that has shown flashes of competitiveness despite inconsistency. That progress, Vasseur argues, provides Ferrari with the tools to fight at the front and give Lewis Hamilton a chance to finally claim his first win in Ferrari red.
Vasseur Counters Leclerc’s Assessment
The most recent opportunity for Ferrari came at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Charles Leclerc looked in strong contention before fading in the decisive final stint. Following the race, a frustrated Leclerc suggested that the team had squandered what he felt was their only realistic shot at a win this season.
Vasseur, however, was quick to correct his driver’s verdict. Speaking to the media, the Ferrari boss said:
“No, no, no – so far, that has been our only chance to win. But that does not mean it was our last. The season is long, and we must keep fighting.”
Pressed on whether his optimism was rooted in Ferrari being particularly well-suited to upcoming tracks on the calendar, Vasseur downplayed any suggestion of foresight. “I don’t know, I don’t have a crystal ball,” he quipped, before shifting the focus back to Ferrari’s recent progress.
Signs of Encouragement Amid Disappointment
Vasseur highlighted that at Spa-Francorchamps, Ferrari were only two-tenths off the leaders in race pace, while in Hungary the team secured pole position and led for 40 laps. These statistics, he argued, demonstrate that the balance of power in Formula One is constantly shifting depending on track characteristics.
“Yes, we have a lot of frustration, but there are positives too,” Vasseur noted. “We brought a good upgrade to the car, and the performance is coming back. We cannot draw conclusions from just one stint, even if it was disappointing.”
While Leclerc’s car visibly dropped off in performance during the final phase of the Hungarian race, Ferrari maintain that the gains of recent weekends are more significant in the long run.
Ferrari Chasing Their First Win of 2025
Ferrari’s struggles are underscored by the fact that they remain the only team among Formula One’s “big four” yet to claim victory this season. McLaren have dominated the majority of races, Red Bull have collected two wins, and Mercedes have secured one. With ten races still remaining, Ferrari are determined to avoid finishing the year winless.
For Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari this season in a historic move, that determination represents opportunity. The seven-time world champion has endured his share of setbacks in 2025, but Vasseur’s belief in Ferrari’s trajectory suggests that a breakthrough could be imminent.
As the season enters its decisive stretch, Ferrari will hope that consistency, upgrades, and track-specific strengths finally align to deliver the victory both the team and Hamilton have been craving. With the era of current regulations nearing its close, there could be no better time for Ferrari to reassert themselves – and for Hamilton to celebrate his first win in red.
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