Latest news with #Leclerc
New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Charles Leclerc hails Ferrari F1 boss Fred Vasseur's 'vision' after contract extended
BUDAPEST: Charles Leclerc hailed Fred Vasseur's 'vision' and cold-blooded approach after the Ferrari team principal was handed a new contract following speculation about his future. Ferrari said the deal for Vasseur announced on Thursday was a sign of 'trust in Fred's leadership,' with the Italian team yet to win a Formula 1 race in 2025. 'In Formula 1, it takes time to build something, especially a successful team,' Leclerc said, arguing that the situation had been complicated by the 'hype around the team' after Lewis Hamilton's arrival, and narrowly missing out on the constructors' championship last year. The driver from Monaco added that Vasseur stood out for his sense of humor and his 'cold blood' when Ferrari comes under pressure. 'I think what's very difficult within Ferrari is the emotion is very much part of the daily job," Leclerc said. "Fred really knows how to leave his emotions aside and have a clear vision of where we are at, no matter how much noise there is around the team.' Ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Ferrari said the new deal was a 'multiple-year contract,' without giving further details. Leclerc's teammate Hamilton gave Vasseur his backing last month after reports in the Italian media suggested his job could be in question. Ferrari last won a race in October and, while it's second in the constructors' championship, neither Hamilton nor Leclerc has consistently been able to challenge the leading McLaren drivers this year. 'Today we want to recognize what has been built and commit to what still needs to be achieved,' Ferrari chief executive Benedetto Vigna said in a statement.
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Lewis Hamilton faces brutal reality check ahead of return to favourite stomping ground
The seven-times world champion has not had a podium finish in his first 13 races as a Ferrari driver but has won eight times at the Hungaroring in the Budapest Grand Prix As the Formula One roadshow arrives on the outskirts of Budapest, it is fair to say no-one has driven the Hungaroring quite like Lewis Hamilton has driven it. The seven-times world champion has won eight races there and has been on pole a record nine times. Hamilton's victory in his rookie season 18 years ago was the first of 12 podium finishes and he recorded the fastest-ever lap at the track, 1:16.627, in the 2020 Grand Prix. But Hamilton and records have been bedfellows for a long, long time. He has been a remarkable driver. The chances, though, of Hamilton celebrating a ninth win at the Hungaroring on Sunday are slim. The main reason for that is that Ferrari have not provided Hamilton with a car that can seriously compete for victories. Ferrari will need some serious luck to win in Hungary. But if fortune did favour Ferrari, then Hamilton would have to beat his team-mate, Charles Leclerc, assuming the man from Monaco stayed on the track. And so far this season, Leclerc has outperformed Hamilton. In the 13 races, Leclerc has out-qualified Hamilton on nine occasions. On race-day, Leclerc has finished ahead of Hamilton ten times. Despite the hullabaloo over the eye-watering figures involved in Hamilton's move to Ferrari - conservative estimates have him earning a base annual salary of £60million - it has not been surprising to see him trail Leclerc, although it should be remembered that the British driver did win a sprint race in China. After all, Leclerc has been driving Formula One for Ferrari since 2019 and is entrenched in the team. But in Hamilton's final season with Mercedes, he was outperformed by George Russell, who qualified ahead of his team-mate at 19 of the 24 Grand Prix. On race day, Russell finished ahead of Hamilton on 14 occasions with the pair both failing to finish the Australian Grand Prix. Leclerc turns 28 in October, Russell turns 28 four months later. Max Verstappen will be 28 in September, Lando Norris does not turn 26 until November. Oscar Piastri, who leads the drivers' championship, was only six years of age when Hamilton first won at the Hungaroring. Hamilton is 40 years of age. Few people doubt that, given the car, Hamilton can still win races but he is racing against a generation of drivers who are not intimidated by his presence on a race track. Even though he is only 13 races into his time at Ferrari, Hamilton has felt compelled to dismiss speculation that he might be thinking of retiring before his two-year deal finishes at the end of 2026. Why would he retire? For a start, he is probably still the biggest commercial draw in the sport, hence the deal given to him by Ferrari. He clearly has a great relationship with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, who has just been given a significant contract extension. And the notion that a great sportsman or woman tarnishes his or her legacy by going on too long is nonsense. If you still enjoy it, carry on, even if age diminishes your powers. That is what, for example, Andy Murray did. Hamilton seems as enthusiastic as ever, still has a huge global fanbase and can still put in a blisteringly quick lap. He is still a big beast on the Formula One grid. But a throwback performance on one of his favourite stomping grounds would not go amiss.
NDTV
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Formula One: Fred Vasseur Signs New Contract As Ferrari Team Principal
Hungary: Charles Leclerc on Thursday welcomed the "important" Ferrari announcement that Fred Vasseur had signed a new multi-year deal to continue as boss of the Italian team. Speaking ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, the Monegasque driver stressed that it was important for Ferrari to end the rumours surrounding the Frenchman's future. "It's not that it's coming as a surprise, but I'm really happy," said Leclerc. "Especially, during the past month, there were quite a few rumours as is always the case around the team. "So, finally to have the official news out is important and for that I'm really happy.' Both Leclerc and team-mate seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton had given strong support to Vasseur after reports circulated in Italian media outlets suggesting that he might be replaced. These followed the team's disappointing start to the season after a strong finish last year and the arrival of Hamilton, a marquee signing yet to register a podium finish. "I think the fact that there was so much hype around the team when we started the season led everybody to think about Ferrari winning the championship," he said. "Unfortunately, that was not the case. Then came all the rumours – all things that we cannot control." Leclerc added that Vasseur's calmness had helped the team after he had arrived to replace Mattia Binotto in 2023. "I think that and his overall vision, which he has embedded into the team is very, very important. "I feel like the beauty of Ferrari is the fact that emotionally-speaking, it's always quite intense, but it can also harm us in some ways and especially when tougher times arrive. "Fred has always had very cold blood in those moments and helped the team to be a little bit more lucid. Tha''s probably the biggest thing that Fred brought to the team." Leclerc said he felt optimistic that Vasseur would prove the right leader ahead of the sweeping technical regulation changes next year. Ferrari confirmed Vasseur, 57, had signed a new contract in a statement issued earlier on Thursday. Hamilton, who has a long association with Vasseur dating back to 2006 when he won the GP2 title for his ART Grand Prix team, echoed Leclerc's relief that the Frenchman was remaining at the helm. Asked to compare Vasseur with his former Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, Hamilton said the two men were "completely different" but both were "massive racers". He added that they both also allowed him to be an authentic version of himself. "All I can say, just from my previous experience, is that I remember the real positive when I was working with Toto, was just how he was able to utilise individuals, figure out how people work best, how to get the most out of someone," he said. "For example, with me, he created freedom for me to be able to express myself the way I wanted to and that enabled me to be the best version of myself. "That's what he does. I think Fred is very similar in that respect and I'm still trying to learn the way that Fred likes to work, but I have absolute confidence in Fred, as I've always said." After 13 of this season's 24 races, Ferrari are second in the constructors' championship, 268 points adrift of runaway leaders McLaren and 28 ahead of Mercedes.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Charles Leclerc Addresses Relationship With Ferrari Engineer
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc addressed his relationship with his race engineer, Bryan Bozzi, after the Belgian Grand Prix, full of intense radio messages between both parties. Leclerc pulled off a fantastic result at Spa, getting a shock podium despite new upgrades coming to Max Verstappen's Red Bull. The race was challenging as the Ferrari driver faced intense pressure from Verstappen throughout the entire race. "Leave me alone, please," the Monegasque proclaimed over the radio after Bozzi said what the gap was between the driver and Verstappen. Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc looks on before the start of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa, on July 27, 2025. Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc looks on before the start of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Spa, on July 27, 2025. Photo by"I can have no information, then when he's getting close, I have too much information. Keep it constant. Don't worry." The Ferrari driver is known for his intense reactions on the radio during races, especially when he is under pressure. After the race, he explained his tense messages to his engineer and clarified his position with Bozzi. "I love Bryan, we have a great relationship and it's true that sometimes in the car Brian always gives me a lot of information," Leclerc said after the race. "Most of the time, I need this information. Today, honestly, it was so complicated as a race that I decided, and I didn't say it in the most polite way, but we'll talk about it, but I'm sure there's no problem because he knows me, when you drive in a car like this at 300 km per hour it's never easy. "So with the adrenaline, I was quite raw, but well, it's okay, everything is going well." "no, i love my engineer, i love bryan! we have a great relationship... today, honestly, it was such a complicated race that i decided- and i didnt tell him in the most polite way, but we'll talk about it. but im sure theres no problem because he knows me" — clara (@leclercsletters) July 28, 2025 Despite the Ferrari SF-25 struggling this season to fight for wins, Leclerc has achieved five podium finishes through 13 races. The current F1 car regulations allow him to benefit from his blistering qualifying pace. Leclerc is neck and neck with Verstappen in terms of outright one-lap pace. The Italian racing team isn't lying down this season as the team brought a massive upgrade pack to the European swing of races, which concludes with Hungary. Leclerc is happy with the direction that the team is going, even if the results aren't there yet. "Honestly, we've had what we expected with this upgrade and that's really positive. We need to keep learning about how to maximise this new upgrade," he added. "It's still pretty new, but it's a good first weekend and I'm happy that we are on the podium to thank the whole team back in Maranello. We keep pushing and hopefully we'll put soon a bit more pressure on the McLarens." F1 news: Lewis Hamilton Lends Support to Mercedes' Starlet Amid Struggles Max Verstappen's 2026 Decision Reportedly Made Amid Mercedes Rumors Nico Rosberg Shares Awkward Moment With Jos Verstappen After Horner Questioning For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
News18
4 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
'A Weekend To Forget But...': Lewis Hamilton Leaves Spa-Francorchamps On High
Last Updated: Lewis Hamilton finished seventh at Belgian Grand Prix after starting from pit lane and praised team's strategy and pit stop execution. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has said that although the Belgian Grand Prix weekend was one to forget, he would take a lot of positives from the Ferrari on Sunday, July 27, when he finished a creditable seventh after starting way below in the race. Four drivers began from the pit lane, Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Antonelli and Hamilton, having made changes to their power units or set-up overnight. They started at the rear of the field ahead of the rolling start at the start of lap 5 but that was a big strategic call that bore fruit. Alex Albon clung on to finish sixth for Williams ahead of chasing Hamilton of Ferrari, who began from the pit lane and Racing Bulls' rookie Liam Lawson. 'Today's race was a positive step forward. The strategy and pit stop were executed perfectly and the overnight changes we made to the setup allowed me to get the most out of the car," Hamilton said while speaking to Formula One's website. 'I felt much more comfortable behind the wheel and I'm pleased with how everything came together," Hamilton added. On lap 12, Hamilton was the first in for medium slick tyres, rejoining 18th, followed by Oscar Piastri, Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Andre Russell and more. Lando Norris stayed out one lap longer for hards, hoping to profit if his rival's rubber degraded in the closing laps. The only pit stop, executed in just 2.2 seconds, was one of the fastest of the day. By lap 15, everyone else had switched to mediums and it was Piastri on top ahead of Norris by 9.3 with Leclerc third, leading Verstappen, Russell, Albon and in flying form, Hamilton. Piastri went on to win the race, with Norris second and Leclerc third. World champion Verstappen finished fourth. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
