Ferrari chief Frédéric Vasseur has publicly discussed the chances of Lewis Hamilton returning to the Formula One podium before the end of the 2025 season. With only eight grands prix remaining, the Frenchman believes that the seven-time world champion can regain his form on the podium following a challenging first season with Ferrari. This optimistic statement comes at a time of major upheaval for Ferrari, having lost two key figures who appear set to join the new Audi Formula 1 team.
Hamilton’s campaign has been inconsistent, with glimpses of his former brilliance interspersed with periods of frustration. His highlight was the Chinese Grand Prix sprint victory earlier in the year, which suggested that he was adapting quickly to life at Maranello. However, as the summer break approached, the British driver’s form dipped sharply, culminating in a self-critical outburst at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he labelled himself ‘useless’.
At Monza, however, Hamilton demonstrated his resilience. Starting tenth after serving a five-place grid penalty, he fought his way through the field to finish sixth, demonstrating both pace and determination in front of Ferrari’s home crowd. After the race, Hamilton said that he was becoming more comfortable with the SF-25 and that the longer he spends in the car, the more competitive he feels.
His last podium finish came almost a year ago at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix when he was still driving for Mercedes, and he crossed the line in second place.
Vasseur’s faith in Hamilton’s revival
When asked by the media if he believed Hamilton could secure a podium before the end of the season, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur did not hesitate.
“Yes, because he was able to compete with Russell at Zandvoort and catch up with him at Monza,” Vasseur explained. “Yes, we can expect to be on the podium.”
The Frenchman highlighted Hamilton’s performance in Zandvoort, where, despite ultimately disappointing results, the Briton’s race pace was competitive from the outset. “Honestly, it started in Zandvoort last week and the outcome of the weekend was not positive, but the pace was better from the beginning compared to Charles’s,” Vasseur continued. He was in a better position because the mood was better during the race and he was fighting with Russell until Lap 30.”
For Vasseur, these signs indicate that Hamilton’s adaptation curve is beginning to pay dividends. Having worked closely with Hamilton in his early career, Vasseur understands the driver’s mindset better than most. He believes the partnership still has the potential to deliver results, even as the season enters its decisive final phase.
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The tifosi’s energy serves as fuel
Ferrari’s presence at Monza is always charged with emotion, and this year was no exception. The tifosi turned out in their thousands, transforming the weekend into a sea of red and creating an atmosphere that inspired their drivers. Vasseur suggested that this passion gave Hamilton an extra boost, despite the setback of his penalty.
“I think the energy he received from the tifosi in Milan on Wednesday was something very special for him,” Vasseur noted. “I don’t know what he was expecting, but it was huge, and this gave him an extra boost all weekend. We had to serve the penalty, and we knew it wouldn’t be easy, but he came back, and he had pace from the first lap of FP1.”
Hamilton has often spoken about the importance of crowd support throughout his career, and at Monza he experienced the unique intensity of Ferrari’s home backing. For a driver still searching for a podium finish in a red car, this encouragement could be the deciding factor in the upcoming races.
Audi’s recruitment drive targets Ferrari
While Hamilton works to find his rhythm at Ferrari, the team faces a separate challenge off the track. According to reports in Corriere della Sera and Corriere dello Sport, former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto is trying to persuade key staff to join Audi, which is set to make its debut as a factory team in the near future.
Two names have been linked with moves: Wolf Zimmermann and Lars Schmidt. Zimmermann joined Ferrari over a decade ago and has played a significant role in developing the Scuderia’s power units. As head of research and development, he has overseen significant improvements to Ferrari’s engines, with the Italian press describing his potential departure as a “revolution”.
Meanwhile, Lars Schmidt has steadily risen through the Ferrari ranks over the past nine years, progressing from engineer to head of development. Prior to his time in Maranello, Schmidt worked for Mercedes, bringing valuable expertise to Ferrari’s technical operations.
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Binotto’s influence and Vasseur’s response
Binotto’s influence on these moves cannot be overlooked. Now team boss at Sauber, which will become Audi’s works squad, he is drawing on his long Ferrari history to attract familiar faces. Reports did not specify when Zimmermann and Schmidt would formally join Audi, but their potential departures are causing concern in Maranello.
Fred Vasseur is said to have attempted to retain both men, but with limited success. In response, Ferrari has begun its own recruitment campaign, targeting talent from rivals such as Alpine and Mercedes. According to Italian sources, Ferrari has already recruited new staff to bolster its technical department and mitigate the risk of disruption.
Enrico Gualtieri, Ferrari’s head of power unit development, has resisted approaches from Binotto and remains in his role, which is crucial for Ferrari’s transition into the new engine regulations that will arrive later in the decade. Gualtieri is considered vital for Ferrari’s transition to the new engine regulations due to come into effect later in the decade, so his continued presence is a stabilising factor.
Ferrari’s challenges
The situation presents Ferrari with a dual challenge. On the one hand, the company is working to restore its on-track competitiveness, with Vasseur relying on Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to deliver strong results in the final grands prix of 2025. On the other hand, they must protect their technical base from rivals eroding it as the sport prepares for its next regulatory cycle.
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