Lewis Hamilton's Winning Return Under Frederic Vasseur at Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton's first victory with Frederic Vasseur's team did not occur in Barcelona on June 14, 2026, but rather more than two decades prior in the Formula 3 Euro Series. Back in those early days, the 20-year-old Hamilton secured a win at Hockenheim while driving for Vasseur's ASM team, eventually dominating the season with an impressive 15 wins out of 20 races. The following year, he transitioned to GP2, joining the newly established ART Grand Prix, also led by Vasseur, where he clinched another title that paved the way for his Formula 1 debut with McLaren in 2007.

Now, as a seven-time Formula 1 world champion, Hamilton returned to work with Vasseur at Ferrari, a team that has seen the British driver evolve into one of the most celebrated figures in sports history. Reflecting on their past relationship, Hamilton stated, “We had amazing success in F3, and also in GP2. That’s really where the foundation of our relationship started. We always remained in touch.” He expressed pride in Vasseur’s journey, adding, “I think just the stars aligned. I think it really wouldn’t have happened without him.”

However, the Hamilton that Vasseur welcomed at Ferrari was not the same as the one who once dominated the sport. Turning 40 prior to his first season, Hamilton's recent performances at Mercedes had raised doubts about whether he was still in his prime. Despite a couple of wins in his last seasons, the younger drivers often overshadowed him, leading to speculation about his capacity to compete at the highest level.

Last Sunday, Hamilton demonstrated that he still possesses remarkable speed, securing a win with a three-stop strategy and overtaking two competitors in what was recognized as the fastest car of 2026. This victory came after a challenging previous year for Hamilton, where he battled with car performance and team dynamics, often resulting in tense exchanges with race engineer Riccardo Adami.

As Vasseur navigated media narratives regarding Hamilton's performance, he maintained a defensive stance towards his team. Yet, Hamilton’s demands for improvements within Ferrari’s structure raised eyebrows, especially coming from a seasoned driver who is perceived to be nearing the end of his career. In the lead-up to the season, Hamilton had been vocal about changes he felt were necessary, discussing technical adjustments with Ferrari’s executives and engineers.

This season has seen a notable change in Hamilton's support structure, particularly with the appointment of Carlo Santi as his race engineer. Vasseur acknowledged the importance of collective effort within the team, stating, “If we are getting results, it’s because collectively we are doing a good job.” With Hamilton showing signs of a resurgence, the collaborative spirit within Ferrari may be the key to unlocking further success.