Ferrari issues instruction after early Lewis Hamilton woes

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has stated people need to “calm down” over Lewis Hamilton's difficult start to life at the team.

Hamilton emerged victorious in the sprint race from China, marking his first piece of silverware in red.

However, the seven-time champion has more often than not faced adversity behind the wheel and has been consistently outpaced by team-mate Charles Leclerc.

Hamilton joined Ferrari this year following a highly successful 12-year stint with Mercedes and admitted he is still getting up to speed with his new environment.

When asked by RacingNews365 if the team can do more to get Hamilton comfortable behind the wheel, Vasseur asserted the gelling period will take time. 

“It doesn’t matter if it’s Lewis, Charles, or Carlos last year – we’re always trying to do the best for the drivers and to find a good balance in the car for them,” he said.

“We’re pushing on both cars exactly the same way. I think you were all a bit more enthusiastic on Saturday evening in China – speaking about the prize-giving ceremony and all that – and we have to calm down a little bit. 

“Now, it’s true that we have a new car. It’s not a carryover from last year, and we’re probably struggling a bit more to find the right balance and the right setup. But this is the life of every team on the grid. 

“Sometimes for one tenth, you can feel the balance is not a good one at all or not that bad. 

Despite the slow start to the new season, Vasseur maintained sprits are high within the organisation.

“So let’s be focused, I’m speaking for us, on the next and the next races,” he said. “The very positive point is we’re working as a team. 

“The two drivers are pushing in the same direction. We have a good atmosphere in the team, and this will help us come back.”