Vasseur Calms Hamilton’s Pessimistic Reaction After Las Vegas: « We Need to Calm Down »

Short Excerpt: Ferrari boss Frédéric Vasseur responded to Lewis Hamilton’s « worst season ever » remarks after the Las Vegas GP, urging calm and perspective as immediate post-race interviews amplified emotions.

Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur has sought to calm the atmosphere after Lewis Hamilton’s pessimistic remarks following the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, where the seven-time world champion bemoaned taking « zero positives » from the weekend and labeled the season as his « worst ever ». Vasseur attributed this negativity, in part, to the emotionally charged format of immediate post-race interviews and emphasized the need for calm and perspective within the Ferrari camp.

Hamilton’s « Zero Positives » and Post-Race Emotion

Hamilton’s Las Vegas weekend was marked by a strong practice showing that collapsed after a disastrous wet qualifying left him starting near the back row. Despite climbing into the points during the race—finishing eighth after McLaren’s double disqualification—Hamilton was visibly upset afterward, telling the media, « I feel terrible, terrible. It’s been the worst season ever. »

Having failed to reach the podium in his first Ferrari season and left 74 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s frustrations came to a head in the TV pen, just minutes after the checkered flag.

Vasseur’s Perspective: Adrenaline, Not The Total Picture

Vasseur acknowledged the difficulty of instant reactions:

« I can understand the reaction from Lewis just after the race but we just have to calm down, to discuss and to be focused on the next two [races], because the next two we will be back. »

He pointed out the psychological effect of immediate interviews:

« The TV pen five minutes after the race—when you have a tough race, it’s very harsh for them. I can perfectly understand the adrenaline, the emotion, and to have a comment a bit harsh at this stage of the weekend. I would say that it’s not normal… but I prefer to have drivers being very open at the end of the race when we didn’t do the perfect job and the car was not good, to say ‘ok I’m frustrated’ than someone going to the TV pen saying ‘you know, guys, the team is perfect…' »

Vasseur emphasized that what matters most is not immediate media statements, but Monday’s work with the team to improve performance for upcoming races.

More Positives Than The Scoreboard Shows

Vasseur also reminded that Ferrari had promising pace during Friday practice, even if luck ran out in qualifying, and urged the team to build from strengths shown during the weekend:

« Lewis was there in FP1 and in FP2; the pace was good and we have to build up the weekend from this… Starting from P20 [P19 after Tsunoda’s penalty] is not the best way to have good results. »

Looking Forward

While Vasseur understands and accepts the emotional lows of his drivers, he advocates for perspective:

« The most important is not what they say in the TV pen, it’s what they do with the team to try to do better and to push the team forward. »

Both Ferrari and Hamilton head to the season’s final two rounds refocused, with Vasseur calling for unity and resilience during a difficult debut season for the British driver in red.

Analysis: A Season of Adjustment

Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari has been marked by high expectations and challenging realities. The transition from Mercedes to Maranello has not yielded the immediate success that many anticipated, with the seven-time champion struggling to adapt to the SF-25’s characteristics and experiencing his first winless season in Formula 1.

Vasseur’s calming influence appears crucial in managing both Hamilton’s expectations and the team’s morale as they navigate this transitional period. The Frenchman’s emphasis on long-term perspective over short-term emotional reactions reflects his experience in managing driver relationships and team dynamics.

What’s Next for Ferrari and Hamilton

As the season enters its final stretch with races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, Vasseur’s message of calm and perspective will be crucial. The team principal’s approach suggests that Ferrari views this season as a foundation-building year for Hamilton, with the real expectations set for 2026 when the new regulations come into effect.

For Hamilton, managing his own expectations while maintaining motivation through a difficult season represents a new challenge in his illustrious career. Vasseur’s public support and private guidance appear designed to help the British driver navigate this unfamiliar territory of racing without victories or championship contention.