Lewis Hamilton points to '10 times worse' defence of Fred Vasseur

Lewis Hamilton has jumped to the defence of Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur, stating he is a “fantastic leader” for the squad.

Earlier this week, Ferrari gathered select media to declare its confidence in Vasseur amid rumours that his position at the helm of the squad was under threat.

It came after former Red Bull boss Christian Horner declared that he would accept a team principal role at Ferrari without demanding an equity stake, something he outlined he would do for another squad.

Ferrari has struggled for form this year, winning just two races in a season it hoped would see it launch a significant championship threat.

But the scrutiny that the team has faced is unique to Ferrari, Hamilton has suggested.

“The deficit we have is simply just on engine, and that's something we don't shy away from,” Hamilton told media including RacingNews365.

“We know that every weekend we carry a four-tenths deficit, if not sometimes six-tenths, just in straight-line power, and we're aware of it. 

“And that's something we need to try and work on. They're working extremely hard to try and fix that for next year. 

“But then everybody else is working so hard within the team back at the factory and here at the track.

“For me it's frustrating to see all the negativity because you see other people making mistakes and no one really says too much about them.

“We either make the same mistake or are not perfect and we know we're not, and it's 10 times worse for some reason for Ferrari, but that's also to be expected, given that it's the best brand here, the most iconic by far.”

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Hamilton points to figures 'above Vasseur' in call for change

Vasseur took over as team boss at Ferrari in 2023 and reunited with Hamilton last year, some 20 years after he drove for the Frenchman's junior ART Grand Prix in GP2.

Hamilton insisted that the 58-year-old is the right figure to lead Ferrari forward, hinting that change to the structure above Vasseur may be what's needed.

“There often seems to be a lot of focus on one individual in one role, always, here,” he said.

“You can see they've obviously switched out lots of different people in Fred's role. But Fred is a fantastic leader. 

“He really is the guy to take this team in the right direction. However, there is a structure that's been there for some time. 

“Whether or not that needs looking at moving forwards... there are also people above Fred, and it's not about one person. 

“Fred has led the team, he's helped make changes in this past year, has helped us get to second in the constructors' championship. That's a huge step from last year.”