Fred Vasseur Faces Criticism from Ferrari Followers After Controversial Response to Hamilton Struggles and Spanish GP Consequence
Ferrari crew boss Fred Vasseur started the 2025 Components 1 marketing campaign using a wave of optimism. The French supervisor had simply orchestrated one of the vital high-profile transfers in F1 historical past by bringing seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes to Maranello. With Ferrari having narrowly missed the 2024 constructors’ title—ending simply 14 factors behind McLaren—the crew seemed poised to return to championship-winning kind.
Nevertheless, lower than midway by the season, the ambiance surrounding Ferrari has modified dramatically. The SF-25 has did not dwell as much as expectations, and the crew’s performances have fallen in need of the lofty targets set throughout winter testing. Vasseur, as soon as hailed for his daring management, is now beneath growing scrutiny as strain mounts from followers and the media alike.
By the primary 9 rounds of the 2025 season, Ferrari have failed to noticeably contend for a race win. They’ve managed simply three podiums—every delivered by Charles Leclerc—and suffered a serious embarrassment at Imola, the place each automobiles had been eradicated in Q2 at one in all their dwelling races. Regardless of the star energy and pedigree Hamilton brings, the Briton’s debut marketing campaign in crimson has but to yield a single Grand Prix podium end.
Frederic Vasseur tried to spotlight Ferrari’s progress within the constructors’ standings after the Spanish Grand Prix, the place Charles Leclerc completed third and Lewis Hamilton crossed the road in sixth. He famous that Ferrari had overtaken each Crimson Bull and Mercedes to maneuver into second total, and that he most well-liked their present place to having fallen to fourth or fifth. The Frenchman additionally identified that Ferrari had managed to erase a 40-point deficit to Mercedes, stemming from a double disqualification in China, and now lead the Silver Arrows by six factors.
Whereas the Ferrari boss considered this as an indication of enchancment, the response from followers was removed from supportive. Many took to social media platforms like X to criticize Vasseur’s remarks, suggesting they uncovered a defeatist mindset unworthy of Ferrari’s historic legacy. One fan accused him of embodying a “loser mentality,” whereas one other expressed disbelief that second place had change into a trigger for celebration on the Scuderia.
A number of customers argued that such feedback had been emblematic of lowered requirements, claiming that Charles Leclerc was the one one within the crew nonetheless displaying a real successful spirit. Others took direct purpose at Fred Vasseur’s management fashion, accusing him of “celebrating mediocrity” and calling for Lewis Hamilton to go away earlier than the state of affairs deteriorates additional. One fan remarked that the French supervisor is likely to be a likeable determine, however insisted that his mindset resembled that of somebody snug with failure, not somebody aiming for world titles.
Fred Vasseur’s critics additionally identified that Ferrari’s rise within the standings might not replicate precise efficiency good points. Crimson Bull’s place has been compromised by the shortage of help for Max Verstappen from their second driver, with the reigning champion scoring 137 of the crew’s 144 factors. In the meantime, Mercedes have been tormented by reliability points. Kimi Antonelli retired at each Imola and Barcelona, and George Russell skilled a pricey failure throughout Monaco qualifying.
On the Spanish Grand Prix, Ferrari had hoped for a turning level. The crew believed that current FIA rules on versatile wings would affect McLaren’s efficiency, doubtlessly opening a path for Ferrari to catch up. However on race day, the crew nonetheless lacked the uncooked velocity wanted to problem the front-runners.
To make issues worse, Ferrari’s strategic decision-making got here beneath hearth as soon as once more. Sky Sports activities commentator David Croft raised considerations in regards to the delay in swapping positions between Hamilton and the evidently quicker Leclerc in the course of the opening stint in Barcelona. This hesitation solely served to bolster the notion that operational points proceed to hinder Ferrari’s potential.
Because the season progresses, Fred Vasseur now faces a crucial second. With Hamilton’s outcomes failing to satisfy expectations and fan sentiment turning hostile, Ferrari should ship greater than symbolic good points within the championship desk—they want tangible enhancements on observe.
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