Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur says he understands Lewis Hamilton’s recent weak comments after the Las Vegas Grand Prix and that what the driver said outside the heat of the moment was more important to him.
Hamilton’s disappointing first season at Ferrari reached another low point in Sin City, with the seven-time world champion once again expressing disappointment with his form in a media interview.
Hamilton finished last in wet qualifying and pushed up the grid on his own pace for the first time in his 19-season career, finishing 10th in the race behind Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg on the road (8th after the McLaren driver was disqualified).
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 afterwards, a heartbroken Hamilton said he felt “terrible” and described 2025 as his “worst season” in F1.
He added: “No matter how hard we try, the situation will only get worse.”
Hamilton told written media that based on current form, Ferrari’s bid to regain second place in the constructors’ championship with two races remaining was “over”, but also told BBC radio he was “not looking forward” to even “next season”.
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Lewis Hamilton reacts to dejected Q1 loss at Las Vegas Grand Prix
Later, when Hamilton’s latest public criticism came during a media session in Vasseur, the Ferrari team principal said, “Lewis’ reaction immediately after the race is understandable.”
“But we need to calm down, talk and focus on the next two (races) because the next two races will bring us back.”
“You also have to remember that Lewis was in FP1 and FP2 and had good pace.
“You have to build up the weekend like this and I don’t think starting 20th is the best way.”
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Sky Sports’ Bernie Collins and Jenson Button give a candid analysis of Ferrari’s struggles after the team could only finish fourth and eighth at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
“I like drivers to be very open at the end of the race.”
It was not the first time this season that Hamilton, who has always been known for his closed-mindedness throughout his illustrious career, was criticized for his performance and troubled nature in his first race with Ferrari.
After qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix in July, he described himself as “useless” and suggested that Ferrari “maybe need to change drivers” after teammate Charles Leclerc took pole position and finished 12th on the grid.
And after a tough weekend in Sao Paulo two weeks ago, when he suffered early race-ending damage in a collision with Franco Colapinto, Hamilton said he was having “nightmares” without a result.
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Lewis Hamilton was eviscerated by damage in Brazil earlier this month, resulting in an early pit stop, penalty and early retirement.
The latter comment came a day after Ferrari chairman John Elkann said the team’s drivers needed to “focus more on driving and less talking” as Ferrari slipped to fourth place in the constructors’ championship.
Vasseur said he understands why drivers are most frustrated immediately after a race, but he still wishes they would voice their difficulties rather than try to gloss over them.
“When you’ve had a tough race, it’s very hard for them to be on TV five minutes after the race. The adrenaline and the emotion is completely understandable,” he said.
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Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc downplay Ferrari chairman John Elkann’s recent ‘not talking much’ comments
“I don’t know if normal is the right word, but at the end of a race when a driver hasn’t done a perfect job, when the car isn’t doing well, I’d rather the driver openly say he’s frustrated than go into the TV box and say, ‘I know, the team is perfect, the car is good’ or whatever. In this case, the driver will be upset.”
“I can’t blame them in a situation like this and I think it’s normal for people to be a little upset sometimes right after a radio show or a session. I’m not upset, but I get a little emotional.”
“Now, the most important thing is not what they say in the TV pen, but what they do with the team on Monday morning. They try to do better and try to push the team to get better results. This is more the driver’s job than what they say in the TV pen.”
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Anthony Davidson was on Skypad analyzing why Lewis Hamilton decided to abort his final qualifying lap before Jenson Button and Bernie Collins discussed what happened.
Vasseur sees Hamilton positively despite struggles
The Ferrari team principal also claimed that Hamilton’s pace in recent events was better than some results suggested.
“It’s true that the last few weekends have been very difficult mathematically, with Brazil having a DNF and Mexico having a penalty,” Vasseur said.
“But overall, in terms of pure performance, I think Mexico and Austin were probably Lewis’ best weekends as well.
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Lewis Hamilton said after last month’s American Grand Prix, where he finished fourth, that Ferrari was “on the right path”.
“But this also applies to the team, we haven’t been able to put everything together in the last couple of weeks.
“That’s why, mathematically and in terms of the championship, we took a big step back. But in terms of pure performance, I don’t think we’re in too bad a shape.”
Live Qatar GP Schedule on Sky Sports F1
Thursday, November 27th
3:00 p.m.: Drivers’ press conference
6pm: Paddock Uncut
Friday, November 28th
11:05am: F2 practice
1:00pm: Qatar GP Practice (Session starts at 1:30pm)*
3:30pm: Team boss press conference
4:05pm: F2 Qualifying*
4:50pm: Qatar GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts at 5:30pm)*
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A look back at some of the most dramatic moments that happened at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Saturday, November 29th
1pm: Qatar GP Sprint build-up*
2pm: Qatar GP Sprint*
3:30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook*
4:15pm: F2 Sprint
5:15pm: Qatar GP qualifying build-up
6pm: Qatar GP Qualifying
8pm: Ted’s Qualification Notebook
Sunday, November 30th
11:55am: F2 Special
2:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Qatar GP Build-up
4pm: Qatar Grand Prix
6pm: Checkered flag: Qatar GP reaction
7pm: Ted’s Notes
*Also held at Sky Sports Main Event
F1’s season-ending triple header continues with the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint weekend, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
