Ferrari have been unable to build on the progress they made last season and find themselves in no man’s land this year.
The Canadian Grand Prix marked the 10th race of the 2025 season but Ferrari are still waiting for their first victory of the year outside of the Sprint Race in Shanghai.
Lewis Hamilton was victorious that day but hasn’t been able to build on that success for a variety of reasons.
The seven-time world champion was disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix due to excessive plank wear, while teammate Charles Leclerc was also excluded from the race.
Leclerc has gone on to record three Grand Prix podiums since that race, but Hamilton is still waiting to stand on the rostrum to achieve his 203rd top-three finish.
Hamilton is hoping a new rear suspension will solve some of his issues, but whether that will have an impact in time to make a real difference this year is yet to be seen.
All of these problems are beginning to have an impact on the job security of team principal Fred Vasseur.
Vasseur’s position at Ferrari is supposedly under threat although he was bullish in response to reports that he could be shown the door by the Scuderia.
Unfortunately, despite receiving plenty of public support from Hamilton, he’s unable to emulate what legendary driver Michael Schumacher did while he was racing for the team.
Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton can’t protect Fred Vasseur like Michael Schumacher protected Jean Todt
Speaking ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton was asked about Vasseur and said: “It’s definitely not nice to hear that there are stories like that that are out there.
“Firstly, I love working with Fred. Fred’s the main reason I’m in this team and got the opportunity to be here, which I’m forever grateful for.
“We’re in this together. We’re working hard in the background. Things aren’t perfect but for me, as I said, I’m here to work with the team, but also with Fred.
“I want Fred here. I do believe Fred is the person to take us to the top.”
A report from the Swiss outlet Blick has suggested that Hamilton has ‘shattered’ the team’s harmony this season.
They also believe that Vasseur is unable to ‘breathe the soul’ that one of his predecessors Luca di Montezemolo did due to not being Italian.
However, the obvious progress Ferrari made under Vasseur last season suggests he’s more than capable of carrying the team forward.
Unfortunately, Hamilton doesn’t have the same power at Ferrari that Schumacher did during his time with the Scuderia.
In 1996, Jean Todt’s job was at stake, but Schumacher threatened to quit if Todt was dismissed and the Frenchman went on to oversee Ferrari’s most successful period in Formula 1.
Hamilton doesn’t have the same sway within the team and wouldn’t be able to protect Vasseur from the axe if John Elkann decides a change is needed.
Lewis Hamilton revealed unheard Canadian Grand Prix problem on the team radio
Hamilton’s statement on Vasseur was reminiscent of Schumacher but it’s not a surprise to hear that he’s unlikely to have the same power within the team as his fellow seven-time world champion.
Hamilton complained about his Ferrari on the team radio in Canada with a problem that wasn’t initially picked up by those watching on.
If the 40-year-old wants to earn an eighth world championship then he needs Ferrari to nail the upcoming change in regulations.
Hamilton’s Formula 1 legacy is secured but he knows the only way to be considered a great by the Tifosi is to end their long wait for a championship.
Unfortunately, it appears as though there are question marks over whether he’ll do that with Vasseur at the helm.