Fred Vasseur gives R-rated response to backlash against Lewis Hamilton over 2025 slump

Fred Vasseur wasn't mincing his words when he confronted the criticism faced by Lewis Hamilton since the start of the 2025 season.

Fred Vasseur gives R-rated response to backlash against Lewis Hamilton over 2025 slump

Fred Vasseur (via IMAGO), Lewis Hamilton (via Ferrari)

Lewis Hamilton made his highly anticipated Ferrari debut in 2025 with hopes of competing for the drivers’ title from the get-go. Hamilton could achieve only one sprint win over the first five races and is currently desperately behind the leading pack in the standings. Due to this, many people have now started berating the Briton’s performance, claiming his move to Maranello was a mistake. Upon this, Fred Vasseur has provided an agitated response and backed the seven-time world champion.

Lewis Hamilton has continued to face criticism due to his tumultuous performances with Ferrari in 2025. The Italian constructor’s pace is also suffering from multiple issues, as the car isn’t able to compete for the race wins. As such, Hamilton has failed to amass any podium finishes, let alone a race victory in the first five outings. Multiple individuals pointed out that the 40-year-old’s performance had degraded drastically since his championship-winning days.

YouTube video

Fred Vasseur wasn’t mincing his words while negating these claims from the naysayers. The Frenchman wholly backed Hamilton and reckoned that the 2025 season was just five races in. The 56-year-old refused to label the Briton’s downfall in performance as ‘dramatic’. Moreover, Vasseur labeled the entire fiasco as ‘f**king bulls**t’ as the 40-year-old was still capable of competing for the championship. The Team Principal acknowledged that ups and downs in a ‘tight competition’ were imminent.

It’s not dramatically. We did five races so far… But this is f***ing bull***t. At the end of the day, we are in competition. You have ups and downs… It is like it is. The competition is tight.

Fred Vasseur told Planetf1

Vasseur reassured that both Ferrari and Hamilton were working collectively on the SF-25 car and strived to improve its performance against the rivals. The 56-year-old didn’t hesitate to accept that the team was currently struggling with the balance of the car, which needed to be sorted out. Regardless, the Frenchman reckons that the potential is present in the challenger as the team pushes to find improvements.

We are, collectively, Lewis and us, struggling with the balance of his car and how he is working the tyres. It’s a kind of negative spot but the potential of the car is there and we will try to solve that.

Fred Vasseur added

Fred Vasseur labels Lewis Hamilton’s frustration a ‘positive’ for Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton has remained frustrated over almost all of the race weekends due to the disappointing pace of the car. The 40-year-old is still trying his best to fight with the car and improve his position in the pecking order of the race. Still, as depicted by the results, Hamilton is currently just seventh in the drivers’ title standings and trailing the championship leader by over 68 points.

Fred Vasseur, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc (via Motorsport Week)
Fred Vasseur, Lewis Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc (via Motorsport Week)

Fred Vasseur issued an awkward statement regarding Hamilton’s woes with Ferrari’s struggle in performance. The Frenchman believed that the 40-year-old’s frustrations were ironically a ‘positive’ factor for the team. The reason being that the Briton being ‘happy’ wouldn’t have enabled the Italian constructor to find improvements in the car.

Honestly, I take it as positive that Lewis is down, because if he was happy with this it wouldn’t be normal. He’s a racer, he’s a competitor.

Fred Vasseur noted

Vasseur further insisted that the team would collaborate with Hamilton to find any possible improvements in the car. The Frenchman believes that collaboration with the 40-year-old is the only way for Ferrari to move forward. Hence, time will tell how the Reds will cover the massive gap in performance against the rivals at the forefront.

Now we have to work together to react together. It will be the only way to move forward.

Fred Vasseur concluded

The competition has peaked at the front amongst multiple teams and drivers. While Ferrari has showcased glimpses of great performance, Hamilton finds himself desperately behind the leading pack. The team must ensure a quick turnaround in results to retain the 40-year-old’s interest in the team for the coming seasons.