Ferrari boss admits they misjudged Hamilton's true challenge

Fred Vasseur has admitted that Ferrari underestimated how hard it would be for Lewis Hamilton to join a team that worked in a completely different way.

The Ferrari team principal gave the self-critical assessment in an interview published on Wednesday.

The interview was an Italian exclusive for Automoto.it.

Corriere dello Sport also ran the comments.

Since the Mexican Grand Prix, most of Vasseur's public remarks have been aimed at his drivers.

In our earlier report, Vasseur rejected Leclerc's Mexico explanation, saying: 'It can't be an excuse at all.'

This time he turned the spotlight on Ferrari itself.

VASSEUR SAYS HAMILTON LEFT PERFORMANCE ON THE TABLE

Vasseur said Hamilton's difficulties were about far more than learning a new car.

'I admit that we underestimated the challenge he faced in joining a completely different team,' Vasseur said.

'It's not just a question of language or software.'

'The steering wheel and the nomenclature are different too,' he added.

'There are so many things to digest that you end up leaving something on the table in terms of performance.'

'When the field is this close, that can make a substantial difference in terms of position.'

The original quote in Italian read: 'Ammetto che abbiamo sottovalutato la sfida che ha affrontato unendosi a un team completamente diverso.

Non è solo questione di linguaggio o di software.'

Vasseur then compared Hamilton with the driver he replaced.

'Lewis had spent a decade in the same team,' Vasseur explained.

'A driver like Carlos is used to changing teams: in ten years in F1, he has raced for five teams,' he said, referring to Carlos Sainz.

VASSEUR PRAISES LECLERC'S RECOVERY

Vasseur was more positive about Charles Leclerc.

According to Automoto.it, he described adapting to the 2026 cars as a big challenge for everyone, Leclerc included.

'After the difficult period between Miami and Barcelona, Charles made a good recovery,' Vasseur said.

He added that drivers had spent twenty years knowing they had to get on the throttle early, and suddenly that was no longer the case.

The engine was the other big admission.

'We knew for years that we were behind the competition in terms of the engine, and that the first year of the new regulations would be difficult,' Vasseur said.

He also told the outlet that, looking back, he would have done things differently.

THE MEXICO FALLOUT

The mood at Ferrari was at rock bottom after the Mexican Grand Prix.

The duel between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton caused frustration for Vasseur.

Although Ferrari had the fastest car at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, neither of the two red cars crossed the finish line first.

Victory went to Max Verstappen, who benefited from a tussle between Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

The tussle took place in the fourth corner shortly after the start lights went out.

Both Scuderia drivers were in a foul mood after the race.

Vasseur was also beside himself after the chequered flag fell.

He spoke of a lack of respect towards the team and announced a thorough debriefing of the race.

FORMER FERRARI ENGINEER SLAMS VASSEUR

Former Ferrari engineer Luigi Mazzola has questioned Vasseur's leadership following the controversial clash.

With the Ferrari SF-26 appearing competitive enough to fight for a one-two finish, the Maranello team saw a potentially outstanding result slip away during the opening corners.

According to Mazzola, the central issue is not simply the actions of the two drivers.

The question is whether Ferrari's management had established sufficiently clear instructions before the race.

Mazzola believes the incident raises wider concerns about the team's leadership, particularly the approach adopted by Vasseur.

His assessment also extends to Hamilton's post-race comments, Leclerc's development and Mercedes' success with Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

For Mazzola, the starting point in understanding the controversial battle is the freedom the two Ferrari drivers were given before the Grand Prix.

If both drivers had been permitted to race each other, the former Ferrari engineer believes it was inevitable that they would attempt to take advantage of every opportunity available on track.

Mazzola recognizes that Formula 1 drivers are naturally competitive.

Their objective is to win, and they cannot simply be criticized for attempting an overtake when an opportunity presents itself.

Leclerc, in particular, attempted to find space around the outside during the opening-lap battle.

However, Mazzola believes that the maneuver had little realistic chance of succeeding.

The consequences proved costly for Ferrari.

What had appeared to be an opportunity to secure a one-two finish disappeared during the opening corners.

The confrontation subsequently developed into one of the main controversies of the weekend.

Leclerc received a five-second penalty.

LOOKING AHEAD TO SAO PAULO