Dec.22 (GMM) Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur has openly acknowledged that the Scuderia misjudged the scale of Lewis Hamilton’s difficulties during his troubled first season in red.
Hamilton endured a winless 2025 campaign, managing only a single sprint victory and no grand prix podiums, as Ferrari struggled to integrate the seven-time world champion after his long Mercedes career.
Speaking ahead of Christmas, Vasseur admitted the transition proved far tougher than expected.
“We’ll start in better shape,” Vasseur told Sky Italia when asked about Hamilton and 2026.
“Lewis now knows the team, and we know him much better than last year. He knows every software and every tool. We’ll do a better job.”
But the Frenchman conceded a clear miscalculation. “Leclerc feels at home, but it was a big challenge for Hamilton,” he said. “I underestimated him.”
Italian media report that Ferrari are now reassessing how Hamilton is supported on the pitwall. According to Corriere della Sera, a change of race engineer – with Riccardo Adami under scrutiny – is one of several options being considered.
“We need to improve our collaboration with Lewis,” Vasseur said. “He needs to learn how to get the most out of the car. At the same time, we need to better understand exactly what he needs.”
Asked directly about Adami’s role, Vasseur confirmed nothing is off the table. “We’re evaluating all the options,” he said. “Every detail counts.”
German newspaper Bild, meanwhile, reported that Hamilton’s Ferrari contract runs longer than previously believed. While Ferrari announced only a “multi-year” deal when signing the Briton in early 2024, Bild claims the agreement extends through 2027, with a unilateral option allowing Hamilton to continue into 2028 – potentially racing at age 43.
The same report suggested that, internally, Ferrari are aware Hamilton’s marketing value alone cannot offset a lack of sporting success, with Oliver Bearman clearly waiting in the wings.
Ferrari have not commented on those claims. Vasseur says the team’s mission is clear.
“Now it’s Ferrari that must help him return to winning ways,” Vasseur said. “We need to understand what Lewis wants and what he needs.”
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