Lewis Hamilton’s recent remarks about Fred Vasseur echo the sentiments famously expressed by Michael Schumacher during his time at Ferrari, drawing intriguing parallels between two legendary eras in Formula 1 history.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has received the full backing of his two drivers after a wave of stories about his future at the team. There was talk in Italy that Vasseur could pay the price for a disappointing season.
Heading into round 10 at the Canadian Grand Prix, Ferrari are 197 points behind McLaren. They have scored just three podiums in nine events and have virtually no chance of winning the championship from here.
Recent reports claimed Vasseur has just three races to save his job. His contract expires at the end of the year and there have apparently been no talks over an extension.
Ferrari scoffed at the speculation over Vasseur, refusing to dignify it with a response. That suggests the Frenchman remains on solid ground.
Lewis Hamilton has publicly stated that Vasseur is the reason he’s at Ferrari, and reiterated his belief that the 57-year-old will lead the team to the top. Charles Leclerc expressed a similar sentiment, saying that the 2023 appointee should be allowed to implement his vision.
Lewis Hamilton sticks up for Ferrari team principal as Michael Schumacher once did
Auto Motor und Sport journalist Michael Schmidt notes that Hamilton’s statement is ‘reminiscent’ of what Michael Schumacher said in his first year at Ferrari. Schumacher finished third in the 1996 standings, well adrift of champion Damon Hill.
Ferrari also scored less than half the points of a dominant Williams outfit, winning just three races. This put pressure on team manager Jean Todt, who hadn’t furnished his blockbuster signing with a contending car.
However, Schumacher declared that ‘if Todt goes, I’ll go too’ in a clear message to the Ferrari hierarchy. That ‘put an end’ to the scrutiny on Vasseur’s compatriot.
While Hamilton hasn’t been quite as emphatic – his stock isn’t necessarily as high as Schumacher right now after an underwhelming start – he too has made it clear that he’s strongly opposed to a change.
Photo by Jared C. Tilton – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
Hamilton worked with Vasseur in the junior categories, so their relationship dates back more than 20 years. Schumacher and Todt went on to win five straight championships between 2000 and 2004.
Former Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali reveals what he’s now told Fred Vasseur
Speaking to L’Equipe, former Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali – now the CEO of Formula 1 – relayed the passionate advice he’d given Vasseur. Domenicali delivered the teams’ last title – the 2008 constructors’.
“I told him, and I’m telling you officially: I believe in him!” he said. “He must not fall into the trap of weakening in the face of these attacks, because they always come. Let him work in peace, that’s how Ferrari will return to the top.”
Domenicali resigned from his position at Ferrari in 2014, with Marco Mattiacci arriving as a short-lived replacement. Maurizio Arrivabene and Mattia Binotto have tried and failed to end the team’s drought since.
Martin Brundle says Ferrari would be ‘nuts’ to let Vasseur go right now. He’s adamant that a change of leadership isn’t the solution to the team’s problems.
