While the seven-time world champion isn’t even behind the wheel of a Prancing Horse yet, Vasseur’s brutal assessment of Hamilton’s performance with his current team has ignited a firestorm of anger and disbelief amongst fans worldwide.
Sources close to the Ferrari camp, speaking under condition of anonymity, revealed Vasseur’s explosive comments made in a post-race debrief. Allegedly, the Ferrari boss didn’t hold back, reportedly stating that Hamilton’s showing at Suzuka was “unacceptable for a driver of his supposed caliber” and questioned his “current level of commitment.”
“To see a driver who will be wearing our colors next year perform with such… mediocrity… it raises serious questions,” Vasseur is quoted as saying. “We expect a certain standard, a champion’s mentality, and frankly, what we witnessed today fell far short. It makes you wonder if the fire is truly still there.”
These incendiary words have sent shockwaves through the F1 community. Fans, already buzzing with anticipation for Hamilton’s move to Ferrari next season, have reacted with a mixture of outrage and profound disappointment. Social media platforms are ablaze with angry posts, many using strong language to condemn Vasseur’s perceived lack of respect and the timing of his scathing critique.
“How dare Vasseur speak about Lewis like that?” one furious fan tweeted. “He hasn’t even joined Ferrari yet! This is disgusting and sets a terrible precedent.”
Another commented, “I was so excited for Hamilton to join Ferrari, but after Vasseur’s comments, I’m genuinely worried about the atmosphere within the team. This is not how you welcome a legend.”
The timing of Vasseur’s outburst is particularly perplexing. With the current season still underway and Hamilton fully committed to his current team until the end of the year, such public criticism from his future boss is unprecedented and could potentially create significant tension and destabilize the driver in the remaining races.
Neither Ferrari nor Lewis Hamilton’s representatives have officially commented on the alleged remarks. However, the damage may already be done. Vasseur’s venomous words have not only cast a dark cloud over the anticipation of Hamilton’s arrival in Maranello but have also left a legion of fans questioning the leadership and internal dynamics of the iconic Italian team.
The coming days are likely to be filled with speculation and calls for clarification. One thing is certain: Frédéric Vasseur’s shocking post-race comments have thrown a massive grenade into the F1 landscape, leaving many wondering what the future holds for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari. This controversy is far from over.
