Otmar Szafnauer discusses key steps Fred Vasseur must take with Lewis Hamilton at start of his Ferrari F1 career
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Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton faces significant pressure at Ferrari as he seeks to secure his eighth world title with the iconic Italian team. This marks the first time in his 18-year Formula 1 career that Lewis Hamilton will race for a team outside of the UK, and he has already begun integrating into the Italian culture, even picking up a few Italian phrases while working with his engineers.
Lewis Hamilton has described his initial weeks with Ferrari as challenging, but he seems to be making solid progress. He participated in tests with older Ferrari cars before recently getting behind the wheel of the 2025 SF-25 at Fiorano, alongside teammate Charles Leclerc. Although the times from these runs don't offer a competitive gauge, the Monegasque was slightly faster than Hamilton during their permitted filming day laps.
Adapting to life at Ferrari, given the brand's rich history and status as one of the most successful teams in F1, seems to be going well for Hamilton. However, former F1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer has offered key insights on how Fred Vasseur, Ferrari's current team principal, should manage Lewis Hamilton in the early stages of their partnership. Speaking on The Race: F1 Team Principal Podcast, Szafnauer emphasized the importance of the French manager’s guidance to ensure the success of Hamilton’s transition into the Ferrari fold.
The British driver, already gaining recognition from fans with his use of Italian, has shared his excitement in a brief 14-word message. But according to Otmar Szafnauer, while Lewis Hamilton is already part of the Ferrari culture in some ways—such as his fashion influence—he will need to fully immerse himself into the team's Italian ethos. This integration, combined with Fred Vasseur's support, will be crucial for their success as a team in the upcoming season.
Otmar Szafnauer explained that what needs to be done for Hamilton is to carefully manage the changes he will experience, as everything will be different for him. He emphasized that these differences must be introduced to Hamilton quickly and regularly, ensuring that he feels comfortable in his new environment as soon as possible. According to the Romanian and American engineer. He served as Team Principal of the Alpine F1 Team until the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix, while it may eventually feel natural, it will take time. The goal is to shorten the time it takes for Hamilton to fully adjust and feel completely at home in his new setting.
Jean Alesi: Lewis Hamilton Has 'Impressed Everybody' at Ferrari Ahead of 2025 Season
Two months into his Ferrari journey, Lewis Hamilton is gearing up for his first pre-season test with the Scuderia, and early impressions from within Maranello suggest he is already making a strong impact.
Former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi revealed that those inside the team have been highly impressed with Hamilton—not just for his on-track abilities but also for how seamlessly he has adapted to Ferrari's unique culture and high-pressure environment. Despite the significant transition from Mercedes, the seven-time world champion has demonstrated an exceptional work ethic, earning praise from team members.
Ferrari has also shown its commitment to integrating Lewis Hamilton's input early on, making adjustments to the SF-25's front suspension based on feedback from former Mercedes engineer Loïc Serra. This willingness to collaborate highlights the team's determination to give the British driver every chance to succeed.
At 40 years old, Hamilton faces one of the toughest challenges of his career as he aims for an unprecedented eighth world title. However, all signs indicate that his time at Ferrari is off to a promising start.
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