The seven-time world champion first teamed up with Vasseur in 2005 when he drove for the ASM team in the Formula 3 Euro Series, taking the title in dominant fashion.
A year later, Hamilton won the GP2 championship with ART Grand Prix, another of Vasseur’s outfits, before stepping up to Formula 1 with McLaren in 2007.
Now reunited at Ferrari, Hamilton, 40, has endured a testing start to life in Maranello. The Briton has yet to record a podium finish since making the high-profile move from Mercedes, but remains confident that his long-time mentor has the leadership qualities to bring the Scuderia back to winning ways.
“Not Fred, no,” Hamilton told reporters when asked how Vasseur had changed since their GP2 days. “Fred still wears the same clothes and he’s exactly the same as he was.
“I always admired how he worked with a team, he’s a straight shooter and a massive competitor.
“I came from teams that focused on spending in other areas, but Fred was always about aerodynamics and performance. That’s still what it’s all about today, and that’s one of his biggest strengths.”
Vasseur, 57, took charge of Ferrari in 2023 and has overseen gradual progress, but both he and Hamilton are still chasing their first win together in Formula 1.
The next challenge for Ferrari comes at the United States Grand Prix, held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin on Sunday, 19 October. The 56-lap race could prove crucial as the Scuderia look to strengthen their position in the constructors’ championship and help Hamilton return to the front.
