Vasseur commended Hamilton following the Briton’s first victory for Ferrari, describing the drive as the result of both strategic execution and sustained effort within the team. Hamilton finished ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell after executing a bold three-stop strategy that proved decisive.
“It’s a good feeling,” Vasseur said. “He was managing the situation very well – as soon as we were adjusting the strategy, he was pushing more or less. He was very outstanding.”
Vasseur emphasised that Hamilton’s contribution extends beyond race day, pointing to consistent input and influence on the team’s direction. “I think that Lewis’ approach was consistent from the beginning. He is fully committed, fully convinced, and he is pushing everybody,” Vasseur said.
Hamilton narrowly missed pole position in qualifying but worked closely with engineers to adapt the race strategy. A key moment came during a Virtual Safety Car period, which allowed Ferrari to pit without losing track position and maintain the lead.
Vasseur acknowledged the role of strategy but stressed that improved overall performance was equally important. “The strategy went very well today… but it also went very well in the last couple of events when the pace was a bit less impressive,” Vasseur said.
He added that trust between the drivers and the pit wall was central to the team’s progress. “The fact that we have this level of confidence between us is key for the future,” Vasseur said.
The victory marks Ferrari’s first win since the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix and comes after a period of rebuilding and adjustment, including changes to Hamilton’s race preparation and engineering setup.
Despite the breakthrough result, Vasseur urged caution as the season continues. “We also have to stay calm… it’s not like last week we were nowhere and today we are World Champions,” Vasseur said.
Vasseur said maintaining consistency will be critical heading into the next race. “It means that we need to keep the same approach in Austria as in Barcelona,” Vasseur said.
The win has also had an impact on the championship standings, with Hamilton closing the gap to Mercedes Driver Kimi Antonelli following the latter’s retirement in the race.
Vasseur described the result as a confidence boost for both the driver and the team, while cautioning against overreaction. “For sure, it’s a huge push in terms of confidence for him this weekend. It will be a new start,” Vasseur said.
–F1/ChannelAfrica–
