Ferrari announced a contract extension for team principal Frederic Vasseur just before the Hungarian Grand Prix, a decision that veteran F1 analyst Joe Saward links in part to Lewis Hamilton’s influence within the team. The multiple-year deal confirms Vasseur’s continued leadership of the Italian outfit.
On July 31, Ferrari officially revealed that Fred Vasseur would remain as team principal for several more years, emphasizing the organization’s desire to build upon the progress made since his appointment in 2023. This move ended months of uncertainty surrounding the 57-year-old Frenchman’s future at Maranello.
Joe Saward, a respected Formula 1 commentator and journalist, suggested that Lewis Hamilton’s impact at Ferrari helped sway the decision to keep Vasseur in charge. Hamilton, the seven-time world champion and new marquee driver for the Scuderia, appears to have played a part in securing continuity at the team’s leadership level.
“I think that Lewis’s intervention probably played a fairly important role in Ferrari finally decided to keep Fred Vasseur,” Saward claimed via his personal blog, named joeblogsf1.
“Ferrari has long had the very bad habit of throwing out its leadership every three or four years but the news that Vasseur will stay is a sign that (perhaps) the top management has finally understood that it is best to keep the same people and let them build what they can before they are thrown into the mincer at Maranello,” he added.
Despite this contract renewal, Saward noted that Vasseur endured a period of minimal support from Ferrari’s upper management in the preceding months, signaling internal doubts about his long-term position. The uncertainty extended to discussions of appointing new intermediaries between Vasseur and executives like CEO Benedetto Vigna and chairman John Elkann, though no updates have emerged recently on that prospect.
Analyzing Hamilton’s Critical Remarks at the Hungarian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton stirred debate at the Hungarian GP by publicly questioning his performance and hinting Ferrari might need to rethink its driver lineup. His comments, which appeared tense and self-deprecating, generated buzz across the paddock but were viewed by some experts as short-term frustration rather than a sign of permanent discontent.
Joe Saward addressed Hamilton’s remarks on August 8, describing them as spontaneous reflections amid a challenging weekend rather than a signal of his commitment wavering. The British driver’s struggle to find pace contrasted sharply with his teammate Charles Leclerc’s dominant pole position and strong showing during the race.
“This [Hamilton’s comments] seemed to be the thoughts of the moment, rather than any long-term thinking,” wrote Saward.
“Lewis had previously explained that he was working hard to get Ferrari moving in the right direction and was not about to waltz off to his next career,” he added.
Hamilton’s difficult weekend saw him qualify 12th and finish the race in the same position, marking one of his toughest outings since joining Ferrari. Despite this, Saward’s perspective suggests that Hamilton’s underlying dedication to the team remains intact amid growing pains.
Implications for Ferrari’s Future Direction
Retaining Frederic Vasseur signals Ferrari’s intention to prioritize stability within its leadership ranks, breaking a cycle of frequent changes that has historically plagued the team. The influence of Lewis Hamilton, both on and off the track, appears to have encouraged the management to favor continuity and allow Vasseur more time to develop the squad.
However, ongoing challenges—evidenced by Hamilton’s recent performance struggles and internal uncertainty noted by Saward—highlight the pressure on the team to translate leadership consistency into tangible race success. As Ferrari moves forward, balancing driver morale and management cohesion will be critical in regaining its competitive edge in Formula 1.