Ferrari criticism ‘disrespectful' and harming team's chances
Lewis Hamilton's boss Fred Vasseur said disrespectful criticism of Ferrari is 'clearly hurting' their chances of fighting for the world championship.
Vasseur's position as Ferrari team principal is under scrutiny, with reports in the Italian media suggesting prior to Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix that his job is in danger.
Hamilton, who has endured a disappointing start to his Ferrari career, defended Vasseur on Thursday, insisting the Frenchman remains the right man to carry Ferrari back to the top.
And, when pressed on his own future, an animated Vasseur, in his third season in charge of the Italian giants, said: 'I have to stay calm otherwise I will be reported to the stewards.
'It is not about me, because I can manage this, but it is about the people of the team and to throw their names like this is disrespectful for them and for their family.
'I don't understand the target? Perhaps it is to give s*** to the team and in this case I don't see the point. Maybe for them it is to exist? But it is clearly hurting the team.
'And when you are fighting for the championship, every detail makes the difference, and since we have arrived here we have just been talking about this (his future). And if that is their target they have reached their goal.
'I knew when I took the position as team principal I would be exposed, but for the people in the team who are working very hard to read that they will be replaced and they are useless, it is very harsh and it should be considered that these people have family, they have wives, they have kids and it is disrespectful. And I don't want to speak about it any more.'
Hamilton is 23 points behind team-mate Charles Leclerc and 115 adrift of championship leader Oscar Piastri heading into the 10th round of the season.
Ferrari are already 197 points behind McLaren in the constructors' standings.
Ferrari's weekend got off to a rocky start when Leclerc crashed out of first practice in Montreal. The Monegasque will be unable to take part in the day's concluding session following car damage he sustained in the accident.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
21 minutes ago
- The Independent
FIA suspends race steward from Canadian Grand Prix after media comments surface
The FIA has suspended driver steward Derek Warwick from the Canadian Grand Prix after comments he made in the media. The 70-year-old ex-Formula One driver's suspension follows remarks circulated by a gambling platform following last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix about a variety of matters including a 10-second penalty given to Red Bull's Max Verstappen. On Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari, Warwick said: 'I think he deserves that eighth world title but it's not going to happen this year. I think if it carries on the way it is at the minutes, I suspect he's already thinking of stopping.' The FIA confirmed that Enrique Bernoldi, who raced for the Arrows Formula One team, will replace Warwick in Montreal. In a statement, the governing body said: "Following recent unauthorised media comments, the FIA has taken the decision to suspend Derek Warwick from his duties as driver steward for this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix. "He will be replaced by Enrique Bernoldi who will be officiating from the Remote Operations Centre in Geneva for the remainder of the event. "After discussion, Derek acknowledges that his comments were ill-advised in his role as an FIA steward and has apologised. Derek will resume his duties as a steward in the forthcoming Austrian Grand Prix."
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Robbie Williams confirmed as FIFA Music Ambassador as he records official anthem for Club World Cup kick-off in Miami
Robbie Williams has been confirmed as the FIFA Music Ambassador ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The 51-year-old hitmaker made the announcement during a video call with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, confirming that he's written and recorded the high-energy track ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Co-written with long-time collaborators Karl Brazil and Owen Parker, alongside Erik Jan Grob, the track will debut in full before the Club World Cup's opening match on Saturday, June 14. In a major move for FIFA, Desire will be used across all future tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup 2026 and beyond. For the first time ever, the new anthem will play as teams walk onto the pitch at every FIFA match worldwide. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Described as a stadium-ready anthem packed with emotional energy, the song aims to capture the intensity, pride and unity that defines football on the global stage. In his new ambassador role, Robbie has also invited iconic Italian singer Laura Pausini to feature on the track. Speaking about the role, Robbie said: 'Music and football bring people together like nothing else - each with their own universal language of connection, emotion, spirit and community. 'When those worlds come together, there's nothing like it, and I'm beyond honoured to be the FIFA Music Ambassador. 'Football and music have both been part of my life for as long as I can remember, so this means a lot to me on a personal level.' On the inspiration behind Desire, he added: 'I've grown up watching the walk-outs, the anthems, the drama. So writing and recording the official FIFA anthem is a real privilege. 'I wanted to create something that captures all of it - the passion, the nerves, the pride and the majesty of that feeling just before kick-off. He continued: 'Football and music have always meant the world to me, and bringing them together on this kind of stage gives me goosebumps. Speaking about the role, Robbie said: 'I'm beyond honoured to be the FIFA Music Ambassador. Football and music have both been part of my life for as long as I can remember, so this means a lot to me on a personal level' (pictured February) 'I know I'll get to perform this song at some of my favourite tournaments in the coming years, which fills me with excitement. 'It's a real honour that Laura Pausini accepted my invitation to feature on the song – she's an incredible artist with the perfect voice.' Laura Pausini said: 'It's an honour for me to be invited to join Robbie Williams and be featured on the song DESIRE, written by Robbie. 'The song is amazing, really touching. It's a dream to be with him for The FIFA Club World Cup. 'Since I was a little girl growing up in Italy I remember the thrill and passion for football in my home country. 'To be able to perform live with Robbie Williams in front of passionate football fans and to be heard by music fans around the world will be truly amazing.' The announcement comes just as Robbie wraps the UK leg of his critically acclaimed BRITPOP Tour, with a final show this Saturday in Bath, having played to over 250,000 fans across the country in just two weeks. The European leg of the tour kicks off next, with shows in Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Sweden. Robbie also recently confirmed his brand-new album BRITPOP, due out later this year via Columbia Records.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Christian Horner opens up on Max Verstappen's future at Red Bull amid doubts - and sends warning to star's father Jos after feud
Christian Horner insists he has no fears over Max Verstappen 's commitment to Red Bull despite mounting unease over his future. Verstappen is contracted with Red Bull until 2028 but in April their key advisor Helmut Marko, who is also a mentor to the Dutchman, admitted the team had 'great concerns' over whether he would stay. He will be allowed to leave this summer if he finishes lower than third in the drivers' standings due to a clause in his contract. The four-time champion sits third, 26 points ahead of fourth-placed George Russell, going into Sunday's Canadian GP. Mercedes and McLaren both tried to lure him last year, though Silver Arrows boss Toto Wolff admitted in March that their interest in him had cooled. Verstappen's father Jos had a blazing row with Horner last year, claiming the team would 'explode' if he remained in post after allegations of 'coercive behaviour' towards a female member of staff, and indicating that his son could leave. Horner was cleared after an internal investigation. Given all of this, is Horner not afraid Verstappen could leave? 'No, he has always been loyal to the team and Red Bull in general. We have grown together,'' Horner told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. Verstappen's mentor Helmut Marko said the team had 'great concerns' over his future 'He came here as a teenager and is now a 27-year-old father and four-time world champion. With Max, you know where you stand. I still think he feels very good here. 'For me, relationships are more important than contracts. If you have to point to a contract, it mainly shows that a relationship doesn't work. A contract is something you sign and that contains principles, but then it disappears in a drawer. After that, you only refer to it when you have a problem. There will always be commotion in this paddock around a driver of his stature and talent.' Over Wolff's attempt to woo Verstappen, and McLaren team principal Zak Brown's call to the driver's manager, he said: 'They wouldn't be doing their job properly if they didn't. But that doesn't automatically mean Max will leave. It's just part of Formula 1.' And on his star driver's father Jos, he said: 'I think it's always important to look forward together. Jos is right. I have enormous respect for everything he has done for Max. 'And we must not forget that we have to do it together. This is one of the most competitive sports in the world. We will only succeed in challenging McLaren if we work together as a team,' he warned. Red Bull have been left in the dust this year and sit fourth in the constructors' standings. They have fewer than half the points of dominant party McLaren but closely trail Ferrari and Mercedes. Horner's outfit has had manifold issues with the car this season after legendary designer Adrian Newey walked out to join Aston Martin. And Verstappen's two team-mates, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, have also been off the pace to contribute to their plummet in the standings. The sport regulation changes will have a huge impact in 2026 and Red Bull are developing their own engine for the first time in collaboration with Ford. In light of that, Horner admitted to De Telegraaf: 'I really believe we will be in a competitive position. But it would be naive and almost disrespectful towards Mercedes, Ferrari and Honda to think that we will set the standard in our first year. 'We have never built an engine and have not driven a lap. But I am confident that we have the right people on board to deliver. It will undoubtedly take time and be a steep learning curve. For the whole team, 2026 will be a reset. It is part of Red Bull's DNA to embrace risks.'
