Lewis Hamilton calls for end to production as Ferrari clarifies Fred Vasseur rumors

Lewis Hamilton has expressed his displeasure at speculation that Fred Vasseur’s position as Ferrari team principal is under scrutiny. Several Italian media outlets suggested on Thursday that Vasseur was under intense pressure in his role and that Ferrari’s WEC team principal Antonello Coletta could be considered as his replacement. Coletta has overseen Ferrari’s back-to-back Le Mans victories over the past two years.

According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Vasseur’s career has been in doubt due to Ferrari’s declining performance, having finished 2024 with perhaps the fastest car on the grid. However, the SF-25 has not enjoyed the same success as the previous year’s car, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton regularly battling for podium positions, while McLaren and Red Bull dominate the races. Ferrari trail McLaren by 197 points after the first nine races, all but dashing their championship hopes and sparking speculation over Vasseur’s future.

Furthermore, Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport highlighted that the next three races – the Canadian, Austrian and British Grands Prix – will be crucial for Vasseur’s future at Ferrari and will serve to decide whether he will continue to lead the team.

Contacted by PlanetF1.com to clarify these rumours, Ferrari categorically denied them, calling them pure fabrication. Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton addressed the issue, emphasizing that Vasseur was the main reason for his arrival at Ferrari, as he was the one who contacted him at the end of 2023. Hamilton said: “It’s not nice to hear these kinds of stories circulating. First of all, I love working with Fred. Fred is the main reason I’m in this team and I’ve had the opportunity to be here, so I’ll always be grateful to him. We’re together and working hard behind the scenes. Not everything is perfect, but I’m here to work with the team and with Fred. I want Fred to be here. I think he’s the one who will take us to the top.”

Rumours have even linked Ferrari with an attempt to lure Red Bull boss Christian Horner, although Horner clarified in an exclusive interview with PlanetF1.com that his “heart and soul is with Red Bull”.

Speculation surrounding Vasseur began during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend and was intensified by a report in Corriere dello Sport. Hamilton expressed his displeasure with the allegations and made it clear that he would not support Vasseur’s replacement in any way: “Ultimately, what people have written is nonsense. Most people don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. It’s not easy, it’s not a cakewalk. We are making changes, there’s a lot of work to be done and of course the pressure is on because we want to win. But it’s not on the agenda right now. I don’t think it’s on the agenda, at least not that I know of, and I certainly wouldn’t support it.”

Fred Vasseur took over as Ferrari driver ahead of the 2023 season, replacing Mattia Binotto. The team has made significant progress in terms of organisation and strategy, and has fielded one of the fastest cars in 2024. This progress has raised expectations for the season, especially following the arrival of seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton, who is chasing a record eighth title. However, Ferrari’s decision to change the design of the car, particularly the front suspension, has hampered the team’s ability to achieve minor results. Hamilton has also struggled to adapt quickly, drawing criticism from biased media outlets.

Hamilton believes Vasseur needs more time to implement the changes and shape the team to his liking, especially with the revolutionary regulations planned for 2026. He and Vasseur are in it for the long haul: “Recruiting new people, whether drivers, engineers or managers, takes time and the impact is considerable. So it’s not up for discussion. I’m here to win with Fred, and he has my full support. For anyone who writes that I’m thinking of stopping racing, I’ve just started my first year at Ferrari and I’ll be here for several years. I’m in it for the long haul. There’s no doubt about where I am now or what I want to achieve with this team. So stop making things up.”