Ferrari’s team principal, Frederic Vasseur, has delivered a measured but resolute response after Lewis Hamilton openly confessed that he is “not looking forward” to the 2026 Formula 1 season. The seven-time world champion’s bleak outlook followed a punishing Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend marked by misfortune, frustration, and a continued struggle to unlock performance from Ferrari’s 2025 machinery.
Hamilton began the Vegas race mired in 19th after a costly qualifying error in variable conditions. Although he surged forward on lap one, dodging chaos to gain six positions, his momentum stalled. He became trapped behind Esteban Ocon’s Haas during his first stint and found no meaningful gains after switching to mediums. He ultimately finished 10th before being promoted to eighth due to the McLaren double disqualification—yet even that offered no consolation.
Speaking after the race, Hamilton lamented what he described as “the worst season ever,” expressing emotional and physical exhaustion despite relentless effort. His subsequent admission that he is not anticipating next season sent shockwaves through the Ferrari camp, especially given the optimism surrounding the sport’s 2026 regulation shift. With Ferrari’s recent form marred by crashes, mechanical vulnerabilities, and inconsistent pace, Hamilton’s sentiment amplified concerns already lingering within Maranello.
The tension was heightened by recent comments from Ferrari chairman John Elkann, who urged his drivers to “focus on driving and talk less.” Both Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc endured contrasting fortunes in Vegas—Leclerc performing solidly to secure fourth while Hamilton faltered amid ongoing technical limitations. Yet it was Hamilton’s public discouragement that demanded a direct response from team leadership.
Vasseur addressed the matter by calling for calm, emphasizing that emotions run high immediately after races and should not be interpreted as definitive judgments. He acknowledged Hamilton’s difficult run but reminded observers that Ferrari showed promising speed earlier in the Vegas weekend. Vasseur urged the team to concentrate on the final races and rebuild momentum, stressing that their fortunes can shift quickly with disciplined execution.
As Ferrari grapples with internal pressure, external scrutiny, and the weight of a transitioning era, Vasseur’s response seeks to steady the ship while encouraging Hamilton to recalibrate emotionally. With two races remaining, the Scuderia now faces not only a technical battle but a psychological one, as they attempt to re-establish confidence ahead of the defining 2026 overhaul.
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