Fred Vasseur opens up on father-like bond with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc

Fred Vasseur revealed that he shares a father-like bond with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, having known them for many years.

Fred Vasseur opens up on father-like bond with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc

Lewis Hamilton, Fred Vasseur and Charles Leclerc (via IMAGO)

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc remain close to Fred Vasseur after knowing for a very long time. Vasseur wouldn’t face many difficulties in managing both the drivers and their interpersonal issues. The 56-year-old revealed the father-like bond with Leclerc and Hamilton ahead of the 2025 season’s commencement.

Fred Vasseur has known Lewis Hamilton for over 20 years and Charles Leclerc for over 14 years. Vasseur insisted that knowing both of them before they started winning races helped in their relationship. The 56-year-old heartily noted that despite not being their father, Leclerc and Hamilton raced first for him when they were kids.

I’ve known Charles for 14 years, Lewis for over 20. Having known them before they started winning really helps in the relationship. I’m not their dad, but it’s true that they were kids when they first raced for me.

Fred Vasseur told Corriere della Sera
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Vasseur further raised confidence in managing Hamilton at Ferrari for the first time in Formula 1. The 56-year-old believed that a seven-time champion would not be difficult to manage in the coming season. However, the Frenchman pointed out that the ‘kids’ at the back of the grid were relatively harder to handle compared to the ones at the forefront.

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It’s not difficult to manage someone who has won the World Championship seven times; sometimes it’s much tougher to deal with kids at the back of the grid.

Fred Vasseur added

Fred Vasseur pinpoints similar ‘menatlity’ of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will form a highly formidable pair, capable of fighting for both championships in the 2025 season. Fred Vasseur revealed the similarity in both drivers. The Frenchman reckoned that Leclerc and Hamilton possessed a ‘champion’s mentality’ as they were enthusiastic and demanding. Vasseur is confident that both of them will push the team to the limit and produce internal competition which was necessary.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton (via Planetf1)
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton (via Planetf1)

They both have a champion’s mentality, they are enthusiastic and demanding. They push the team to the limit, and we need this kind of internal competition. It’s a process of emulation, performance comes from comparison.

Fred Vasseur noted

Hamilton has raised confidence in the team’s capabilities after a positive outing in the pre-season testing. The 40-year-old will still have to work on his known qualifying issues and ensure they do not carry over in the 2025 season. Leclerc on the other hand will have to keep up with similar performances to put forth a competitive environment for the Briton.