Frederic Vasseur comments on Ferrari’s Friday: Leclerc shines, while Hamilton struggles
It was a mixed day for Ferrari during the first two free practice sessions of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc stood out, setting the fourth-fastest time and giving the impression that he could close the gap to the two McLarens of Norris and Piastri. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, struggling to find any feeling with the soft tyres, couldn’t do better than 13th, trailing his teammate by seven-tenths and the top spot by a full second.
Speaking after the second free practice session, Frederic Vasseur shared his thoughts on Ferrari’s Friday: “Day one of practice should never lead to hasty conclusions. Conditions change a lot between sessions, especially with the temperature variation that affects track behavior. Also, factors like fuel load and engine modes make direct comparisons misleading. We need calmness and clarity to properly interpret the data and prepare for qualifying and the race. Every little detail can make a big difference.”
The Frenchman added: “Today, the field is extremely tight — even a small mistake can cost several positions. It’s not uncommon to see top teams using two sets of soft tyres already in Q1. The difference between a great lap and a disappointing result can be just a few hundredths. The challenge lies in capitalizing on every detail and improving consistently. It’s all about precision and continuity, as we saw last year too.”
On the differing approaches of Leclerc and Hamilton, he said: “The dynamic within the team is very positive: Charles and Lewis, even with different approaches, are pushing each other forward. Hamilton brings a huge wealth of experience, which benefits the whole team. The collaboration between the drivers is real and constructive, and the atmosphere in the garage is solid. The goal is to maximize the potential of both cars, with no favoritism. That’s how you build a winning team.”
Vasseur still believes in the championship; the season is long and many things can change. According to him, Barcelona will be a key race — but not the only one: “The championship is still long, and we need more consistent weekends to fight for victory again. The ingredients are there, but we need to bring them together at the right time. In China, for example, we saw good performance in the Sprint, but then struggles in the main race. Everything is on a knife’s edge — pushing too hard can ruin the next lap. Teamwork and balance make all the difference.”
And finally, a comment on the upcoming rule changes, which are already raising eyebrows: “We’re preparing for a major shift in 2026, but there’s already talk about 2031. It’s good to tackle these topics openly and collectively, listening to different perspectives. The technical and sporting rules will change radically, and no one can say for sure who’s made the right choices. In the meantime, though, the focus remains on this season, which must be approached with care and determination.”
Photo: Scuderia Ferrari Gallery
