Hamilton suggests Ferrari need leadership change but backs Vasseur

Men’s Cricket / 1 October 2026 Buttler out of England tri-series as Rashid makes return 1 October 2026 Women’s Tennis / 1 October 2026 Kartal marks comeback with convincing win at China Open 1 October 2026 Women’s Football / 1 October 2026 Arsenal and Chelsea held to draws in Champions League 1 October 2026 LEWIS HAMILTON has called for leadership change at Ferrari but insisted under-pressure team principal Fred Vasseur is “the right guy” to take the Italian giants forward.

Hamilton’s hopes of a record eighth world championship have dwindled since his maiden Ferrari win in June and he heads into this weekend’s “Bahrain Grand Prix” in Malaysia 103 points behind Kimi Antonelli.

Vasseur’s position at the helm of Ferrari is in the spotlight with the out-of-work Christian Horner revving up his interest in the post — recently declaring it as “dream” to lead the Scuderia.

Ferrari responded to Horner by issuing a statement, via their communications department, to declare “full confidence” in Vasseur, 58, who joined the team in 2023. Above Vasseur in the hierarchy is executive chairman John Elkann, and then Benedetto Vigna, the chief executive officer.

But, speaking at the Sepang International Circuit 40 miles south of Kuala Lumpur, Hamilton said: “Structure is very important and so is stability and everyone rowing in the same direction is key in any business.

“There often seems to be a lot of focus on one individual and one role here. Fred is a fantastic leader and he really is the guy to take this team in the right direction.

“However, there is a structure that has been there for some time and whether or not that needs looking at moving forwards? There are obviously also people above Fred and it is not about one person.

“Fred has led the team and helped make changes to get us to second in the constructors’ championship which is a huge step from last year.”

Ferrari remain the most successful team in Formula One but they have not delivered a world-championship winning driver since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.

And Hamilton conceded that the criticism swirling around Ferrari is affecting the team.

“For me it is frustrating to see all the negativity,” he added. “You see other teams making mistakes and no-one says too much about it.

“We make the same mistake, and we know we are not perfect, but it is 10 times worse for Ferrari.

“I don’t read all the stuff, so it has zero effect on me but when I come into the room I can see it definitely affects individuals on the team.

“They try to show up and do the best job they can. They don’t get it right all the time but when families are messaging you about all the negative things they are reading, and the people back at the factory are reading all those things, too, even though they are giving it their all, it feels as though there is nothing you can do right.

“We are going to focus on doing the best job we can regardless of what is written. I knew it wasn’t going to be in my second year [at Ferrari] where we would be where we want to be, but I am hoping and praying that we will get there.”