It appeared that pressure was beginning to build up on Fred Vasser ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. Given the general advances that have been made since he joined in 2023, it was a surprise considering he approached last year’s Constructors Championship victory and appears to be a good fit to challenge McLaren this season.
What was not surprising, however, was the disappointment of Ferrari’s 2025 performance, winning the race despite having slipped McLaren’s long journey and still regaining a second spot in the rankings.
One Italian report argued that the next three race weekends were important for Vasseur’s future, but despite one podium in that run, we arrived in Budapest. News about contract extension for Ferrari Team Principal.
Whether the timing was only due to the expiration date of his previous contract, the commitment is a symbol of Ferrari’s faith in Vassa that he still leads the team in the right direction. And on Thursday, two of the key staff he needs to support – his driver agreed.
“I’m really, really happy,” said Charles Leclerc. “I mean, that’s not a surprise, but there have been quite a few rumors, especially in the past month, as has always been around teams.
“I just heard about it yesterday,” Lewis Hamilton said. “And I’ve heard my positive comments about Fred. I told everyone, and that was the right choice. Fred wants to sign me here and work with me.”
The accusations often levelled in Ferrari are that the team is being scrutinized more intensely than others when they are not winning, leading to knee responses, with the emotions involved being described by Leclerc as “very intense.” However, Hamilton sees something positive at the forefront in terms of the desire for success that exists within the team, and he believes that Vasser has similar traits to his previous Wolf in how he utilizes it.
“It’s just trying to understand the environment you’re in,” Hamilton said. “You have to adapt, and I think the people you work with will ultimately learn to adapt to meet you. I think the response to the steps we took this year in all areas, and the passion and desire to continue doing better is the most surprising thing on this team.
“Everyone just wants to do better and find a way to get better. So I know that this team has all the elements that need to be successful. I really believe it. That’s why I signed it.
“What I can say from my previous experience is that I remember the real positivity I had when I was working with Toto. I remember how he can make use of individuals. Understand how people work best and how to make the most of someone else.
“That’s what he does there, and I think Fred is very similar in that respect. I’m still trying to learn how Fred likes to work, but as I’ve always said, I’m absolutely confident in him.”
Fan strength is part of Ferrari’s appeal, but it also creates unique pressure when team results are not as good as expected. Lars Baron/Getty Images
Hamilton is unfamiliar with Ferrari and cites Vassar as one of the main reasons he joined, but Leclair has seen Scuderia active in both Mattia Binott and Bassar. Leclerc, who has referenced speculation about Baserle’s future over the past few months, says one of the strengths of current bosses is that they can rise beyond external distractions to focus on overall progress.
“I think Fred has an incredible vision without comparing different eras. I think what’s so difficult within Ferrari is that emotions are a big part of the day-to-day work,” he said. “Italians in general, and because it makes Ferrari special, they’re so passionate about Ferrari. But Fred really knows how to put his feelings aside and have a clear vision of where we are.
“Apart from that, he clearly has many qualities. One of them is extracting the biggest from everyone in the factory, and if you put this together it makes a huge difference.”
According to Leclerc, the ability to cut noise is a characteristic that Vasseur has not only been good at himself, but has also conveyed to the Ferrari team in the past to avoid falling into a negative spiral.
“He definitely changed the way we work on a variety of things,” Leclerc said. “But again, I think what made the biggest difference Fred made is the overall vision, and this is definitely embedded in the team, and that’s very important.
“Like I said, I feel that the beauty of Ferrari is emotional speaking, and that’s the fact that it’s always very intense, but it can hurt us even in particularly tough times. Fred has always had very cold blood and the team has become a little more clear.
So why has his future been questioned by the Italian media? For Leclerc, it stems from expectations that come in 2025 and the great interest that comes with both Hamilton’s arrival and the form that Ferrari ended last season.
“The fact that there was so much hype around the team the moment we started the season, I think everyone was thinking we would win the championship,” Leclerc said. “Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
“After that, there were some rumors and it was a larger proportion than what we wanted, but I think these are not something we have control over, they are part of the Ferrari. It has always been and will never change.
It is a huge number of mantras, and Vasuzar preaches and is supposed to continue moving forward for years.
