Hamilton still adapting, Leclerc stepping up - Vasseur

Lewis Hamilton believes it may be time for Ferrari to stop chasing 2025 gains and shift full focus to next year’s major regulation overhaul.

Team principal Frederic Vasseur, however, insists development on this year’s car is still ongoing, with both “visible” and “invisible” upgrades in the pipeline despite McLaren pulling away.

While Charles Leclerc has found increasing pace in recent rounds, Hamilton has struggled to extract similar performance. Vasseur described the current Ferrari to La Stampa newspaper as “sensitive.”

"Because sometimes we manage to extract the maximum but not always," he said. "Qualifying in Imola and Miami are emblematic, where we were faster with used tyres - something I've never seen in my life."

At 40, Hamilton appears to be managing expectations for the season, pushing Ferrari to begin channelling all resources into 2026.

"I don't know what updates are coming," said the seven-time world champion. "We haven't had anything new for quite some time.

"We'll continue to work with what we have and, before it's too late, I'd like to ask the team to focus on next season. This year we are laying the foundation, learning the tools, refining the structure and processes so that next year we can have the car we need."

Vasseur concedes the current championship is basically out of reach.

"Considering McLaren's advantage and continuity," he said, "we have to stay focused on ourselves, like 12 months ago, when I also never thought about the championship. I would like the same approach from the team now.

"The reaction was good, Monte Carlo and Spain showed it. Now we need confirmation."

As for Hamilton’s adaptation issues, Vasseur believes the gap is smaller than it looks.

"Hamilton is only missing the details," he said. "We are talking about hundredths, which in this balanced Formula 1 can make the difference between a first and a third row - between a good weekend and a less good one.

"But they remain details - understanding the car, setup, communication. It's normal when you change teams. Frustration? It's understandable."

Vasseur also praised Leclerc’s evolution since Hamilton joined the team, noting a marked improvement in the Monegasque driver's clarity and assertiveness.

"Compared to the past he has made a big step forward in terms of certainty about what he wants," he said.

"He is more direct in asking the engineers what he needs."

Asked if Leclerc has become the team leader, Vasseur rejected the idea of driver hierarchy.

"We have two top drivers and no need for a leader," he said. "I think that if Leclerc has made a step forward it is also because Lewis pushed him to do so, while on the other hand Charles is helping his teammate to understand the team and the car.

"They work well together, although I don't ask them to be best friends."

Vasseur added that Leclerc’s connection to the team is deep and personal.

"Leclerc is in love with Ferrari - his career has had only one colour since the academy and the beginning in GP3.

"He is tied to the company and the team, he doesn't look around for a better seat but is part of the project and of this family. And I respect him a lot for this."