Buckle up! The Ferrari boss has weighed in on the Lewis Hamilton vs. George Russell debate as Hamilton’s exit from Mercedes looms.
- George Russell has consistently outperformed Lewis Hamilton in qualifying this season.
- Despite Russell’s edge in qualifying, Hamilton is still leading in overall points.
- Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur is unconcerned about Hamilton’s qualifying struggles.
- Vasseur praises Hamilton’s experience and efficiency ahead of his Ferrari move.
It’s been a nail-biting season with George Russell stealing the spotlight in qualifying, leaving many fans wondering if Lewis Hamilton’s best days are behind him. But hold your horses, because Hamilton isn’t exactly trailing in the dust.
Russell may have the upper hand in qualifying, starting ahead in 10 of the first 14 races, but Hamilton’s overall performance tells a different story. Even after turning 40 next January, he’s managed to stay ahead, leading by 34 points.
Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, isn’t sweating Hamilton’s qualifying stats. In fact, Vasseur points out that Hamilton’s efficiency and race points are what really matter. “Everyone has been saying since the beginning of the season that Russell is faster than Hamilton, but at the moment he is the one who has scored more points for Mercedes,” Vasseur noted.
Hamilton’s recent victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, his 105th career win, was another feather in his cap—even if it came after Russell’s disqualification for an underweight car. This win underscores that Hamilton’s racing prowess is far from diminished.
As Hamilton gears up to join Ferrari, Vasseur is thrilled about what this seasoned driver will bring to the team. “We know the positive aspects of Lewis’ arrival at Ferrari. For example, his great experience in Formula 1,” Vasseur added.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc, who will be Hamilton’s new teammate, has had an up-and-down season himself. Despite a stellar win at Monaco and a pole position at Spa, inconsistency has plagued him.
Vasseur admitted that Ferrari has had its own share of issues, revealing, “Charles has had some problems over the last few weekends, but I still think he’s lucid and the truth is that sometimes we’ve collectively overdone it.”
The team has also struggled with porpoising due to recent upgrades, adding another layer of complexity to their season. But with Hamilton on board, Ferrari is hoping for smoother sailing ahead.
Ferrari is confident that Lewis Hamilton’s experience and efficiency will bring a much-needed boost to the team in 2025.
Source: Planetf1