Vasseur dismisses Hamilton's struggles: 'Sunday is where you score points'
F1 News
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur was quick to dismiss comments on Lewis Hamilton and his decline in form in recent Grands Prix. The seven-time world champion will be making the move from Mercedes to Ferrari, one of the biggest driver transfers the premier class of motorsport has ever seen. 2024 was not a season to remember for the Brit, especially with some poor qualifying pace that we will hope he won't bring to the Scuderia.
After 12 seasons with the German team that saw Hamilton earn six drivers' titles and eight constructors' championships, he will now move to the Italian team in search of a record-breaking eighth world title, teaming up with Vasseur once again after the two of them worked together in the junior formulas.
However, 2024 was probably the worst season to date for the 39-year-old, unable to finish in the top six in the standings for the first time in his F1 career. His qualifying performances were also very poor to his lofty standards, losing 19-5 in the qualifying duels to teammate George Russell throughout the season, and losing 5-1 in sprint qualifying sessions too.
Vasseur looking for "momentum" to lead Ferrari to titles
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Vasseur quickly dismissed the worries about Hamilton and his form coming into the Prancing Horse: "We are well placed to know that it's on Sunday that you are scoring points. I think we fell a little bit in 2023 also because we are probably the best in quali but we struggle in the race. It means that we have to keep the focus on the race, that we do a decent step forward in 2024.
"But we have to keep this approach. Charles also improved a lot on race management, tyre management between 2023 and 2024. It means that we have to keep the same momentum and the same approach for the next championships," continued the French team boss.
But is there a little bit of worry about the Brit, especially with the huge contract that has been given to him? "No," reaffirmed Vasseur.
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