Lewis Hamilton has expressed his support for Frederic Vasseur following the announcement that the Ferrari team principal has signed a multi-year contract extension. The confirmation on July 31 ensures Vasseur will maintain his leadership role at Ferrari as the team continues its campaign into the 2025 season. Hamilton, who is set to race for Ferrari starting next year, called the news a positive development ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Vasseur, 57, had been under scrutiny in recent months with speculation swirling about his potential departure, with notable motorsport figures like Christian Horner rumored as possible replacements. However, the official extension puts those rumors to rest, allowing Vasseur to focus fully on enhancing Ferrari’s performance in the latter half of the year. Hamilton highlighted the importance of stability at the top as the team strives for success.
Hamilton’s Views on Vasseur’s Continued Leadership
In his comments prior to the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, Hamilton emphasized his belief in Vasseur’s capability to guide Ferrari effectively. The British driver, who will join the Scuderia Ferrari team from 2025, expressed enthusiasm about the news and the benefits of leadership continuity.
“Fred told me yesterday, which I was incredibly happy about. I knew it was the right decision. Continuity is really important, and I think for the team, Fred is the right person to lead this team, as I’ve said from the beginning.”
— Lewis Hamilton, Racing Driver
Before the extension was finalized, Vasseur publicly addressed rumors regarding his tenure, particularly during the Canadian Grand Prix, where he criticized Italian media reports about his uncertain future. Now formally confirmed, Vasseur’s undistracted focus will be crucial as Ferrari aims to improve results throughout the season‘s second half.
Expectations for the Hungarian Grand Prix
With Vasseur’s position secured, Hamilton also shared his perspective on the upcoming race weekend in Budapest, a venue where he holds a record number of wins and pole positions. Entering this event as a future Ferrari driver for the first time, he spoke carefully about his approach, choosing to remain grounded rather than setting high demands after a challenging recent race.
“It’s definitely one I enjoy and where I’ve usually had straightforward races that delivered strong results. But you could’ve said the same about Spa – and last week, only Sunday really came together.”
— Lewis Hamilton, Racing Driver
“So the best approach is to take each session as it comes, stay focused on ourselves, and aim to maximise the package we’ve got. Charles showed in Belgium what the SF-25 is capable of, and I’ll be doing everything I can to bring home a strong result.”
— Lewis Hamilton, Racing Driver
Hamilton’s history at the Hungaroring is impressive; since his Formula 1 debut in 2007, he has secured nine pole positions and eight victories at the circuit. As Sunday’s race approaches, he plans to extend his success at this track, leveraging his experience and the team’s potential to achieve another strong finish.
This renewal of confidence in Fred Vasseur’s leadership, paired with Hamilton’s measured outlook ahead of the Hungarian GP, signals a hopeful and focused phase for Ferrari as the 2025 season unfolds. The coming races will be critical for assessing whether the team can capitalize on this stability and deliver improved performances.