Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has expressed his appreciation for Lewis Hamilton`s attitude following the Bahrain Grand Prix. Vasseur noted that Hamilton`s disappointment with his qualifying performance was a positive sign, highlighting the driver`s strong mentality and impressive recovery drive in the race.
Hamilton was visibly dejected after qualifying ninth in Sakhir, describing his own performance as “poor” and apologizing to the team for not performing well enough.
However, the seven-time world champion rebounded on race day, finishing fifth. This result led Hamilton to suggest that he was beginning to understand how to optimize his driving style for the Ferrari car.
Despite securing a sprint race win in China, Hamilton has generally been behind his teammate Charles Leclerc and has acknowledged that adapting to the Ferrari car and a new working environment after many years with Mercedes is taking time.
Vasseur acknowledged this adaptation period, stating that integrating 12 years of experience into a new team takes time. He emphasized the ongoing need for improvement for everyone within the team.
Vasseur praised Hamilton`s mindset, noting his willingness to adapt to the car while the team also works to adjust the car to suit Hamilton`s preferences. He described this process as positive and constructive.
Vasseur reiterated that Hamilton`s frustration after qualifying was understandable and a sign of his high standards. He acknowledged that in modern Formula 1, even small mistakes can significantly impact grid position.
He emphasized the need for balanced judgment regarding performance, as minor factors can drastically change the outcome of a weekend. Vasseur appreciated Hamilton`s focus on improvement after qualifying and was pleased with his strong race performance.
Brundle: Age Not a Factor in Hamilton`s Qualifying
While Lewis Hamilton holds the record for the most pole positions in Formula 1 history, his recent qualifying results compared to his teammates have sparked debate about his peak performance. Martin Brundle from Sky Sports F1, however, believes that age is not the primary issue affecting Hamilton`s single-lap speed.
Brundle referenced Hamilton`s despondent interviews, noting their similarity to those from the previous year at Mercedes.
Brundle dismissed the idea that age-related decline is hindering Hamilton. He suggested that Hamilton hasn`t lost his driving ability but is still finding the optimal setup and driving style to maximize the current car`s potential. He also pointed out the competitiveness of the younger drivers on the grid.
Ferrari`s Car Improvement Pace
Excluding the Shanghai Sprint, Ferrari`s Bahrain race results were their best combined finish of the season. Their car showed strong pace in the middle part of the race, but ultimately, Leclerc finished 20 seconds behind the race winner, Oscar Piastri, despite a late safety car.
Vasseur commented on the fluctuating pace of their car, noting that they can sometimes compete with McLaren but are generally lacking a few tenths of a second in overall pace. He stressed the need for continued development without forcing changes.
Vasseur also mentioned that managing tire performance and balance is challenging, with conditions significantly impacting tire behavior. He noted that Mercedes and Red Bull are also facing consistency issues compared to McLaren, leading to driver frustration.
Vasseur concluded by emphasizing that improving performance is a team effort, not solely dependent on the drivers, and that progress will come through collective work.
Ferrari is heading to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, currently fourth in the Constructors` Championship, trailing McLaren by a significant margin.
