Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have been under fire in recent weeks, even within their own team. After several disappointing Grand Prix races, both drivers increasingly expressed their frustrations about the season, prompting CEO John Elkann to sharply reprimand them: “More racing, less talking,” he advised. However, in the run-up to the Qatar GP, Hamilton and Leclerc received support from team boss Fred Vasseur, who showed understanding for their frustrations.
During the official FIA press conference, Vasseur was asked about the growing frustrations of his drivers. Despite Elkann’s stern words, Hamilton and Leclerc continued to speak candidly about their disappointing year. Lewis Hamilton stated in Las Vegas that this had been ‘the toughest season of his career’. He also admitted that based on current performances, he ‘has no desire’ for 2026.
“To be honest, I fully understand their frustration,” Vasseur responded. “Especially after a crash for which they are not to blame, or when the pace is simply not good enough. In the garage and on the pit wall, everyone feels the same frustration. It’s about how you deal with it and how you refocus on the next race and the next season. I would be more worried if the drivers were happy after these kinds of weekends,” he grinned. “Moreover, there was less drama than people made it out to be; everyone knows what these drivers are like, and personally, I accept their emotion.”
Looking Ahead to 2026 as Early as April
Vasseur revealed that Ferrari made the decision to shift its focus to 2026 early in the season. He believes this could have contributed to the disappointed attitudes of both drivers. “McLaren was so dominant in the first races that we knew it was going to be a tough year. I believe we decided as early as April to focus on 2026. Psychologically, that’s a big blow: the idea that you’re no longer developing aerodynamics with so many races still ahead. But it was a team decision; the drivers were involved. In such situations, you have to act collectively, and that’s what we did.”
However, Vasseur emphasized that staying motivated was sometimes a challenge. “The most important thing is how you react to setbacks,” said the Frenchman. “As a team, we tried to stay motivated and put our best foot forward. Lewis Hamilton also played a role in this. Moreover, there were plenty of positive moments to mention. We’ve been on the podium multiple times, and that’s always a good sign, also for the team’s mental resilience.”
