Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc: only F1 drivers willing to take one 'merciless' step

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Before becoming the team principal at Ferrari, Fred Vasseur had the opportunity to work closely with both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, forging important relationships that would prove pivotal in their careers. His journey began in the junior categories and extended to the midfield of Formula 1, where he made a name for himself.

Frederic Vasseur’s involvement with Hamilton started in 2006 when he was leading the ART GP2 team, which hired the young British driver for the season. Hamilton went on to win the GP2 championship, forming a strong bond with Vasseur that would prove significant almost two decades later. Hamilton, who had been part of the McLaren-Mercedes young driver programme since 1998, quickly advanced to an F1 race seat with McLaren. Within two years, he became a world champion.

Meanwhile, Leclerc and Hamilton enjoyed two of the most impressive seasons in Formula 2, with Hamilton just edging ahead. In 2017, Leclerc won the F2 championship, a victory that led Ferrari to place him at Sauber.

It was here that Leclerc first crossed paths with Frederic Vasseur, who had recently joined Sauber from Renault. They spent a single season working together before Leclerc was swiftly promoted to Ferrari's works team.

However, when Mattia Binotto lost his job as Ferrari’s team principal at the end of 2022, the team turned to Vasseur, bringing him back into the fold. Now, Vasseur will reunite with both Hamilton and Leclerc, creating a powerful lineup at Maranello.

In 2022, while still at Sauber, Vasseur spoke about the key similarity he observed between Leclerc and Hamilton, a trait that could serve Ferrari well. He noted that both drivers possess a strong willingness to be self-critical after any race, even if they've won. Despite having celebrated victories, they are always seeking areas for improvement, driven by an unyielding desire to better themselves. This relentless pursuit of progress could be the key to breaking Ferrari’s 17-year championship drought, especially with Vasseur at the helm, overseeing a team of such exceptional drivers.

Fred Vasseur mentioned that in his career, he had only encountered one other driver who was as merciless in his own judgment when he felt his performance was unsatisfactory, and that was Lewis Hamilton. He added that Hamilton and Leclerc were the only two drivers he had seen who were self-critical even after winning a race, unlike other drivers who would typically congratulate themselves. According to the French manager, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc understood when they could have driven better and addressed this with relentless determination.

Before officially joining Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton sent a private message to Fred Vasseur, signaling the beginning of what would soon become a significant collaboration. Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have already begun to develop a rapport ahead of their first race together in Melbourne, even though their professional relationship is just beginning to take shape. During his time at Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton was always cautious about discussing Ferrari in too much detail, yet the two drivers did find common ground in their mutual interests outside the racetrack, sharing insights and building a foundation for what lies ahead.

There's widespread belief among F1 fans that Ferrari now boasts one of the strongest driver lineups on the grid. However, the road ahead won’t be without its challenges for Fred Vasseur. One pundit even speculated that Hamilton might insist on a no-team-orders clause in his contract, knowing the competitive nature he brings to the team and his desire for complete autonomy on the track.

Additionally, Fred Vasseur faces the task of reigniting the form of a legendary driver who is coming off a somewhat disappointing season. This could potentially be as straightforward as providing Hamilton with a more competitive car, but the real question remains how long it will take for Hamilton to regain his full confidence. Privately, Hamilton has confided in Fred Vasseur, offering insights into the difficulties he faced in qualifying, and understanding the root causes of his struggles. If the French manager is able to address these issues, he will likely remain optimistic about Hamilton's potential to bounce back and return to the top of his game.

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