Formula One Chaos: Hamilton's Struggle at Ferrari Raises Questions
Disarray brewing within Ferrari, yet Hamilton remains unfazed regarding departure speculations.
Montreal (dpa) - The world of Formula One is abuzz with gossip, controversy, and speculation about Lewis Hamilton's future at Scuderia Ferrari. After a lackluster start and mounting pressures, the record world champion is yearning for success. And where better to find it than Montreal, a city that's seen him taste victory 18 years ago, claiming the Grand Prix as many times as Michael Schumacher[1].
Before getting behind the wheel in Canada, Hamilton needed to clear the air. "For all those who pen stories about me contemplating retirement: I've just joined Ferrari," Hamilton declared bluntly. Reports from Italy suggesting his exit due to frustration are, in his words, pure fabrication[1][2]. "I'm here for several years, I'm here for the long haul," he affirmed: "There's no question about it. Enough with these rumors!"
The Heat is on: Vasseur's Fate?
The mood at Ferrari remains tense, fueled by yet another season without a World Championship title. As usual, a scapegoat is being sought, and surprisingly, it's not Hamilton, the highly anticipated newcomer who signed a lavish salary package of up to 99 million euros per year. Instead, team boss Frédéric Vasseur (57) is under scrutiny[2][3].
Media outlets from Italy are reporting that Vasseur is to be dismissed. Ferrari lags behind leader McLaren by a substantial margin in the Constructors' Championship, with Hamilton finishing sixth and teammate Charles Leclerc in fifth, both far behind the race leader Oscar Piastri. "I stand firm behind Fred," said Hamilton despite the gloomy outlook: "He's the main reason I joined Ferrari. I collaborate exceptionally well with him."
Leclerc expressed a similar view in the paddock in Quebec. "I don't know where this comes from. So I'd rather just ignore it," said the former vice-world champion[3]. The turmoil at Scuderia has been a recurring theme before the Grand Prix on Sunday (8:00 p.m./Sky and RTL)[1].
"It's always the same," said former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, now with Williams since the start of the year: "As soon as things don't go right at Ferrari, the media starts looking for a scapegoat, and the chaos ensues."
Ferrari has denied any ongoing negotiations with replacements, such as Red Bull's Christian Horner, as baseless[1][2]. However, it's been hinted that Ferrari upper management is considering a leadership change, with the next few races decisive in shaping internal discussions[1][2][3].
Sainz's Insight: Media Seeking a Fall Guy
Leclerc voiced a similar stance, dismissing the rumors as unfounded[3]. The continuous drama at Scuderia can be traced to the sky-high expectations that have been unmet since Kimi Räikkönen's last title win 18 years ago[1]. Hamilton, who celebrated an unexpected sprint win in China, is familiar with the challenges of driving his often difficult-to-handle Ferrari[1].
As the team grapples with its inconsistent performance, Hamilton knows that progress will be slow, requiring patience and hard work. However, he has no regrets about joining Ferrari. "It probably seems worse from the outside than it is. A good weekend would certainly help, but I don't feel like I desperately need it yet," he said[3].
While Hamilton's future is uncertain, he is considering purchasing a property close to the legendary Ferrari factory in Maranello[3]. "I'm falling more and more in love with Italy with each passing day," said Hamilton, who is currently enjoying success away from the track. He's recently spoken with the British Prime Minister regarding education policy and launched new campaigns with major partners[3].
"I have numerous business projects that are going quite well," says Hamilton: "I'm putting in the effort to ensure my results on the track measure up to my off-track achievements."
Enrichment Data:
- Vasseur's contract is set to expire at the end of 2025, but his future at Ferrari remains uncertain due to ongoing speculation and mounting pressure[1][2][3]
- Ferrari has trailed McLaren significant in the Constructors' Championship, resulting in a lack of Grand Prix victories this season for both Hamilton and Leclerc[1][3]
- Italian journalists like Giuliano Duchessa suggest that Ferrari is not under immediate pressure to make a decision on Vasseur's future but that the upcoming races are crucial in determining internal discussions[1][2]
- The sports-analysis of the Formula One season reveals that there's ongoing speculation about the future of team boss Frédéric Vasseur at Scuderia Ferrari, despite Lewis Hamilton's declaration of his long-term commitment.
- In the world of sports-analysis, the performance of Scuderia Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship has raised questions about the effectiveness of their sports-analysis strategy, with many experts suggesting a possible change in leadership could be on the horizon.
