Pressure is mounting on Fred Vasseur as Charles Leclerc’s ‘very unhappy’ admission leaves Ferrari reeling – Ted Kravitz reveals behind-the-scenes tension
It was another mixed weekend for Ferrari at the British Grand Prix as they once again missed out on a podium finish.
Lewis Hamilton came agonisingly close to ending his wait for a first top-three Grand Prix finish at Ferrari.
The British Grand Prix was incredibly chaotic, as proved by the fact that halfway through the race, the two drivers chasing down both McLarens were Nico Hulkenberg and Lance Stroll.
The Aston Martin driver eventually fell off, but Hulkenberg earned the praise of the likes of Max Verstappen as he finally achieved his first F1 podium.
A mistake after his final pit stop cost Hamilton the chance to challenge Hulkenberg as he struggled with the soft compound tyres on a wet track, but he had a far more positive day than teammate Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc said Hamilton was the only positive of the British Grand Prix for Ferrari, after deciding on a diabolical strategy and eventually crashing into Carlos Sainz in the closing stages.
Going into the race weekend, team principal Fred Vasseur’s position at Ferrari was under pressure.
The Scuderia have not lived up to expectations, and reporter Ted Kravitz believes that Fred Vasseur is still under pressure heading into the next race at Spa.
Photo by Andrea Diodato/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Ted Kravitz states Fred Vasseur is ‘still’ under pressure after the British Grand Prix
Kravitz was speaking on Ted’s Notebook about Ferrari’s performance at Silverstone, and reflecting on a tough day for both drivers, he said: “Charles Leclerc pitted for slicks on the formation lap, and then had to pit to change back on lap 12.
“Lewis struggled in the first half, got passed by Russell, then fought back, got past Lance Stroll for fourth, chased Hulkenberg, but by the time his inters were finished, had to pit for new inters, Hulkenberg also pitted for new inters and Nico Hulkenberg had an answer for everything that Lewis Hamilton could put his way today.
“Charles Leclerc, very unhappy, and you could argue that the pressure on Fred Vasseur is still there heading into Spa with the decisions that Ferrari made, which were not the right ones on Charles Leclerc’s side of the garage.”
Ferrari still looking to update their 2025 Formula 1 car ahead of next year’s regulation changes
The halfway stage of the 2025 Formula 1 season has now been reached, but plenty of teams already have one eye on next year.
The 2026 F1 regulations represent one of the biggest changes in the sport’s history, and the introduction of the cost cap means each manufacturer has to use their resources wisely.
Williams are among the teams who have made the decision to fully focus on 2026, but Ferrari haven’t gone in that direction yet.
Ferrari have a rear suspension solution arriving shortly that it’s hoped will help Hamilton and Leclerc be more competitive.
It may be vital for Vasseur to earn a new contract for Ferrari to be more competitive before the end of the season.
The Scuderia currently sit second in the constructors’ championship, and Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari’s CEO, spoke to Sky Sports Italia about Vasseur’s future at Silverstone.
He said: “The cars are starting to become more competitive.
“Teams grow by facing difficulties together and confronting them as one unit. Unity is strength — that’s a fundamental value, and I can say that I feel it here at Ferrari.
“I see it here at Silverstone, and I’ve felt that spirit clearly over these past few days.”
Vigna was making positive noises about the direction Ferrari are taking under Vasseur, but results like Leclerc’s can’t be repeated too often.
