Story perspectives

Hamilton backs Vasseur as Ferrari confirms no replacement

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 11:09 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Ferrari backs Vasseur

Ferrari held an unscheduled media briefing confirming full confidence in team principal Frédéric Vasseur.
Lewis Hamilton, the Mercedes-to-Ferrari driver, publicly backed Vasseur, saying he will not be replaced.
Ferrari’s chairman John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna affirmed alignment with Vasseur’s direction.
Hamilton noted the team’s 0.4-0.6 second straight-line power deficit and ongoing efforts to close it.

Summary

Hamilton trails leader

The Bahrain Grand Prix will be held at Sepang, Malaysia, replacing the cancelled Middle-East event.
Ferrari are second in the constructors’ championship, 160 points behind Mercedes and 72 ahead of McLaren.
Lewis Hamilton trails championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 103 points after his first Ferrari win at Barcelona.
Charles Leclerc says media focus on his rivalry with Hamilton is over-analysed and unfair to the team.

History

Historical Context

Ferrari ended a 21-year championship drought in 2000 when Michael Schumacher won both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles after a season of car upgrades and mid-season setbacks. The stability that produced that dominance is echoed today as the team’s current leadership in Formula One receives public backing from Lewis Hamilton for its future.

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Ferrari backs Vasseur

Ferrari held an unscheduled media briefing confirming full confidence in team principal Frédéric Vasseur.
Lewis Hamilton, the Mercedes-to-Ferrari driver, publicly backed Vasseur, saying he will not be replaced.
Ferrari’s chairman John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna affirmed alignment with Vasseur’s direction.
Hamilton noted the team’s 0.4-0.6 second straight-line power deficit and ongoing efforts to close it.

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