Lewis Hamilton told Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur ‘exactly’ why he struggled in qualifying for Mercedes

LeclercOn the contrary, he beat Carlos Sainz 14-9 in the 23 sessions that both drivers competed. He also took three pole positions to bring his career total to 26.

The Monegasque now sits just outside the top 10 all-time in that metric, along with Mika Hakkinen. Only four more next season would allow him to surpass Juan Manuel Fangio and equal Nico Rosberg.

Since he joined ferrari In 2019, Leclerc outscored his teammates by an aggregate score of 82-45. They have yet to be defeated on a Saturday in a full season.

Considering he has faced a four-time world champion in Sebastian Vettel and a multiple race winner in Sainz, that is an impressive record. And it is worrying because hamiltonwho may be entering his decline against a teammate in his prime.

Lewis Hamilton was honest with Fred Vasseur about his problems with Mercedes

Ferrari announced Hamilton’s signing before the 2024 season even began. If he had been on the market 12 months later, it’s unclear if they would have made the same move.

But according to F1 journalist Ralf Bach, who spoke on the F1-Insider YouTube channel, Hamilton has spoken to Fred Vasseur to explain why he was off the pace on a single lap. If you know what the problem is, you may be able to fix it.

That might be enough to reassure Vasseur, who previously worked with Hamilton in the junior ranks. In fact, that pre-existing relationship may have been what attracted the Englishman to Maranello.

“Fred was also his team boss in Formula 3, GP2,” said Bach. “They have known each other for a long time. I don’t think I have any doubts about him yet. Hamilton explained to him exactly where the problems were in qualifying at Mercedes.”

About 20 years ago, Hamilton told Vasseur that he dreamed of Ferrari. Regardless of how this successful move turns out, it could define the Frenchman’s tenure as team manager.

How Lewis Hamilton honors Ayrton Senna by racing for Ferrari in 2025

Hamilton’s career could have been very different. This is only the second time he has changed teams since joining the grid 18 years ago.

According to a former McLaren colleague, Vettel almost partners with Hamilton at McLaren in 2008. The German may well have been a stronger teammate than Heikki Kovalainen, which could have given the title to Felipe Massa.

Four years later, he decided to leave at the perfect time. McLaren went into decline starting in 2013, while Mercedes was on the precipice of dominance.

Now comes the fairy tale movement. Ayrton Senna would have ended his career at Ferrari If not for his fatal accident, but symbolically, Hamilton will take the spirit of his idol to Italy.

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