Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur defends Hamilton after the seven-time world champion claimed he was ‘useless’ and the team ‘probably need to change driver’.
Lewis Hamilton has struggled to adjust to Ferrari in the first half of the season. His shock move from Mercedes has proved difficult for the Briton, sitting sixth in the Driver’s Championship. He lost his 11-year podium streak in Great Britain, started outside the top 4 in Spa-Francorchamps for the first time since 2016, and has failed to reach Q3 in 3 consecutive qualifying sessions.
It’s unsurprising that Hamilton’s dip in form has affected his outlook, especially with teammate Charles Leclerc taking pole position in Hungary. He said to the media after the Hungarian GP qualifying that he was “absolutely useless” and that Ferrari “probably need to change their driver”.
However, Vasseur has come to his defence, saying to the media after the Grand Prix that Hamilton is “frustrated but not demotivated”.
“I don’t need to motivate him, honestly. He’s frustrated but not demotivated, it’s a completely different story.
“Again, I can perfectly understand the situation and you can, sometimes you are making comments on what the driver is saying to the car, but if you put the microphone on some other sportsman in football and so on, I’m not sure that it would be much better.
“Sometimes they are making [rash] comments, even when they jump out of the car.”
“The first reaction is harsh”
Vasseur explained that often, driver’s immediate reactions following a disappointing session can be ‘harsh’.
“I can understand the frustration, but we are all frustrated. And sometimes, if you ask me, I can’t say this, I will go to the stewards.
“But sometimes just after the race, or just after the Quali, you are very disappointed. And the reaction, the first reaction is harsh, but we all know that we are pushing in the same direction.”
The Frenchman went on to admit that Hamilton was being too hard on himself. But the high standards he sets for himself are the reason he is one of the most successful drivers in the history of Formula 1.
“Yes, he’s demanding, but I think it’s also why he is seven-time World Champion. That he is demanding with the team, with the car, with the engineers, with the mechanics, with myself also. But first of all he is very demanding with himself.”
Domenicali joins Vasseur in support of Hamilton
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali also offered his support to the Ferrari driver. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Domenicali called Hamilton a ‘jewel’ and insisted that he will come back stronger after the summer break.
“First of all, Lewis is a jewel, he is an incredible athlete, so no matter if it is a difficult moment, he will react, and I’m pretty sure he will show the reason why he is here.
“He wants to achieve his eighth title, and he will triumph again. So, stay with Lewis and he will do a great race, and be very, very strong after the summer [break].”
