Vasseur-Out not with Lewis Hamilton: "Want Fred to stay here!"

(Motorsport-Total.com) - Will Lewis Hamilton save Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur's career? The Frenchman is under pressure after the unsuccessful 2025 Formula 1 season so far and is in danger of losing his position at the helm of the Scuderia – at least that's what several major Italian newspapers are reporting.

But the seven-time world champion demonstratively backs his former mentor: "I want Fred to stay here," he clarified in the press conference before the Canadian Grand Prix. "I firmly believe that Fred is the one who can lead us to the top."

After a thoroughly successful 2024 season, in which the team was finally able to fight for the title right down to the final race, this year's performance is still lagging behind expectations. These were already enormous after the high-profile signing of the British record world champion.

Aside from a sprint win in China, Ferrari hasn't yet achieved any major successes. Therefore, there are now initial reports from Italy that Vasseur's position is in doubt, as his three-year contract expires at the end of the season and may not be renewed.

When asked, Hamilton himself only learned about it indirectly and hasn't read the articles. "It's definitely not nice to hear stories like these that are circulating," he says.

And if it's up to him, the Frenchman isn't at all up for grabs. "I really enjoy working with Fred. Fred is the main reason I'm in this team and have been given this opportunity, for which I'm eternally grateful," says Hamilton, who has already successfully driven for Vasseur's ART team in the GP2 Series.

Of course, he's aware that things aren't as perfect as one might have hoped. And of course, he's also aware that there's a lot of pressure at Ferrari because the team wants to win.

But he doesn't see ousting the team boss as the solution. "As far as I know, that's not even up for debate. And it certainly wouldn't be something I would support," he clarifies. "I'm here to work with the team, but also with Fred. I want Fred to stay here."

According to Hamilton, the reports are "basically nonsense." "Most people don't know what's really going on behind the scenes."

Bringing new people on board, be it drivers, engineers, or management, always takes time for everyone to settle in. "The impact is significant," he says. This is precisely something Ferrari can't afford ahead of the crucial 2026 season, when everything will be reset to zero.

"So that's not a topic of conversation," Hamilton said. "I'm here to win with Fred. He has my full support—just like everyone else here."

"And that says it all for me," says the seven-time world champion.

And yet, there is always another topic that lingers in the paddock in the wake of Hamilton's lack of success: an early retirement.

But the 40-year-old can categorically rule that out, too: "I've just started here at Ferrari. I'm here for several years and for the long haul. There's no doubt whatsoever about where my head is and what I want to achieve with this team. So please stop making things up!"