Lewis Hamilton on Ferrari rumours: “These people haven’t got a clue!”

For seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton, one thing is certain: “Structure and stability are key to the success of a Formula 1 team. Everyone has to pull in the same direction. And I believe that applies to any business, not just the pinnacle of motorsport.”

Clearly, the question put to the record-breaking champion in this context referred to the huge furore surrounding team principal Fred Vasseur. Speculation about the Frenchman’s future had become so intense that Ferrari felt compelled to go public at the end of September and back their team principal – in order to finally restore calm within the organisation.

Hamilton is convinced: “Fred has our full support. It seems to me that some people focus too often on one person and one role. The truth is – Fred is an outstanding leader, and he is steering Ferrari in the right direction.”

“We’ve made great progress under his leadership, and our current deficit is almost entirely down to the power unit. Depending on the circuit, we’re talking about a gap of up to six tenths of a second per lap – solely due to a lack of power. We’re aware of this and are working to rectify it for 2027.”

“I can see how hard the Ferrari staff are working to get us back to the top. And I find it frustrating at times that some people focus solely on the negativity. Of course we make mistakes, and we openly admit to them, but with Ferrari you always get the impression that everything is ten times worse.”

Topic of the week

Nicolo Bulega: Toprak’s successor will not fail in MotoGP

The Italian Nicolo Bulega is the first rider to have won the world title in both the Supersport and Superbike classes; from 2027, he will be racing in MotoGP. His performances this season are second to none.

Read More

TV Program

Tomorrow

Sepang: 1. Freies Training

FIA Formula One World Championship

02.10.2026 - 06:15

“Personally, I couldn’t care less about all the speculation, but I can see the effect rumours and conjecture have on the people at Ferrari. They try their best every day, and then they read these stories or have them passed on to them by family and friends. It’s easy to get the impression that they simply can’t do anything right, no matter how hard they try, and that’s not on.”

“I’ve made a decision for myself – I simply don’t read it anymore; I shut myself off from it. Because I know that most of what’s written there comes from people who haven’t the faintest idea what’s really going on at Ferrari.”

“These people don’t know what goes on behind closed doors, and they have no idea how hard people work at Ferrari. Instead, they spread speculation and opinions, and I find that really tiresome. So: it’s best not to read anything, to block out the noise and focus entirely on the work.”

Ferrari superstar Lewis Hamilton secured pole position five times at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia and won the 2014 Grand Prix (2014). But the driver, who has competed in 395 Grand Prix races, says: “I can hardly remember the races.”

“My memories are actually stronger when it comes to my work back then as a Mercedes driver with our partner Petronas. We were often guests at the Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur – that was always cool – and I visited various places where Petronas operates. Interacting with the staff was always a pleasure, and I look back on that fondly.”