Lewis Hamilton has publicly backed Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur while also calling for a review of the broader leadership structure within the Italian Formula One team. Speaking ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which has been relocated to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the seven-time world champion emphasized the importance of stability and unity throughout Ferrari’s hierarchy.
Hamilton, who joined Ferrari last season on a reported £80 million annual contract, acknowledged the challenges the team has faced this year, with recent race results falling short of expectations. Ferrari sits second in the constructors' championship but trails leader Kimi Antonelli by a significant margin, with Hamilton himself 103 points behind in the drivers’ standings.
Despite speculation linking former Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner, currently unemployed since his departure last year, with a possible move to Ferrari, the team has reiterated its “full confidence” in Vasseur, who has led the squad since 2023. Horner has described leading Ferrari as a “dream” role and indicated a willingness to accept the position without any ownership stake, which he typically demands elsewhere.
Hamilton praised Vasseur as “a fantastic leader” and stated that the Frenchman has helped elevate Ferrari’s performance compared to the previous season. His teammate Charles Leclerc also dismissed the leadership rumors as “silly” and expressed strong trust in Vasseur’s role. Nevertheless, Hamilton highlighted that changes could be made above Vasseur’s level in Ferrari’s management, which includes executive chairman John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna. While supporting Vasseur, he noted that “structure is very important” and suggested that the existing hierarchy, which has been in place for some time, might need re-examination to enhance the team’s effectiveness.
The Ferrari chief’s position has come under scrutiny amid the team’s failure to secure a drivers’ or constructors’ title since 2007, despite Ferrari’s status as the most successful outfit in the sport’s history. Hamilton compared Ferrari’s organizational setup to that of his former employer, Mercedes, where Toto Wolff holds both an ownership stake and team principal role, indicating that the structures differ significantly.
Hamilton also addressed the intense media scrutiny and criticism that surrounds Ferrari, describing the pervasive negativity as unfair and demoralizing for team members. He urged fans and commentators not to judge the team too harshly, emphasizing the hard work occurring behind the scenes. “Everybody who writes the stuff doesn’t have any clue,” Hamilton said, underscoring that they are “not in the team” and lack full insight into the ongoing efforts.
As Hamilton prepares for the upcoming race in Malaysia, he expressed cautious optimism for Ferrari’s future, acknowledging that meaningful improvements may take time but affirming his hope for eventual championship contention.