Milan, Aug. 7 (LaPresse) – “We underestimated the challenge Lewis faced at the start of the season. He spent 10 years with McLaren and another 10 with Mercedes. You could say it’s been a 20-year career within the Mercedes environment, and changing all that isn’t easy.” So said Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur in an interview with DAZN Spain, speaking about Lewis Hamilton’s struggles in his first season at Maranello. “Both Lewis and I underestimated what that change meant — from the culture to the people,” he added. Despite the lack of immediate results, Vasseur highlighted Hamilton’s commitment and his relationship with Charles Leclerc, emphasizing their professionalism in a high-pressure year. “In this kind of season, when there are so many expectations and then you hit a rough patch, it’s very easy to give up. But Leclerc never did. He’s always pushed to the limit, supported the team, and had a great partnership with Lewis,” he said. “I still want to win races this year,” Vasseur added. “The 2026 project is a massive challenge, and we all need to be aligned to manage it. But in the meantime, we have to make the most of what we have,” he said. Ferrari “is the place where you’re most exposed, but if you manage to win in Formula 1, it’s amazing… doing it with Ferrari is particularly appealing. This challenge is incredible,” he concluded.
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