Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has expressed full confidence in Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, despite the team’s recent struggles in the 2025 Formula 1 season. As the European leg of the calendar begins in Imola, Vasseur emphasized that the responsibility for Ferrari’s poor performance lies with the team and not the drivers. He reassured fans that both Hamilton and Leclerc have what it takes to succeed.
At the Miami Grand Prix, Ferrari endured its worst result of the season, with Hamilton and Leclerc finishing seventh and eighth. The team has only secured one podium and one Sprint victory so far and sits fourth in the Constructors’ Championship—152 points behind McLaren. This underwhelming performance has intensified pressure on Ferrari, especially with a home race approaching.
Vasseur admitted that the SF-25 car has been a major limitation for the drivers, preventing them from showcasing their full potential. He underlined that while both Hamilton and Leclerc are highly capable, the car currently lacks the necessary performance, particularly during qualifying. Vasseur noted the need for the team to raise its game across all areas of the race weekend.
Ferrari’s season started with optimism, but disqualifications in China and inconsistent results have plagued the campaign. While Leclerc secured a podium in Bahrain and Hamilton took a Sprint win, these highlights have been rare. In Miami, their struggles with tire temperature and race pace were evident, especially against Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, who outperformed them.
Despite the disappointing results, Vasseur believes Ferrari’s performance gap isn’t as large as it seems. He explained that minor shifts in grid position could significantly change race outcomes due to how sensitive the tires are. McLaren’s strength in tire management has been a key reason for their dominance, winning five of the first six races.
Looking ahead, Ferrari is banking on upcoming car upgrades to turn the season around. The team plans to introduce small updates at Imola and Monaco, with a more substantial upgrade package set for Barcelona. Vasseur believes this could reset performance levels across the grid. Both Hamilton and Leclerc have voiced the need for better downforce and stability, which Ferrari hopes to address with the changes coming in the next few races.