Ferrari Boss Banned Lewis Hamilton’s from Charles leclerc Due to…read more
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has made headlines by discouraging a close personal relationship between his drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. As the 2025 Formula 1 season reaches its midway point, Vasseur has emphasized the need for internal competition within the team, making it clear that while harmony is important, he does not want the drivers becoming too friendly.
Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari since 2019, has clearly outperformed his new teammate Hamilton during the first half of the season. The Monegasque driver has beaten the seven-time world champion in qualifying on eight out of twelve occasions and has secured four podium finishes. Hamilton, who joined Ferrari this year after leaving Mercedes, is still yet to claim a top-three finish in a Grand Prix for the team.
Despite these results, both drivers remain focused on one key objective: improving the overall performance of the Ferrari SF-25. Ferrari has struggled with consistency and pace throughout the season, and both drivers know that significant development is needed if they hope to challenge for wins.
In an earlier interview with Belgian broadcaster RTBF, Vasseur explained his reasoning behind discouraging a close friendship between his drivers. He believes that a healthy dose of rivalry is essential for pushing both men to their limits.
“There’s a very good understanding between them,” Vasseur said. “But I don’t want them to be best friends. They’re not enemies either, but first and foremost they are competitors. That’s the way it has to stay. They always have to try to do better than the other. That’s what drives them.”
He added that the atmosphere within the team remains positive and constructive, but insisted that competition between teammates is a vital component of success in Formula 1.
Looking ahead, Ferrari hopes to turn things around with upcoming car updates. At the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa, both Hamilton and Leclerc will be racing with a newly upgraded SF-25 featuring a revised rear suspension. This follows a test run at Mugello last week. However, Leclerc voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of the update, stating that he didn’t feel a significant improvement in the car’s performance.
Since Ferrari introduced a new floor at the Austrian Grand Prix, they have seen some marginal gains. Still, the SF-25 continues to be plagued by fundamental performance issues, particularly in challenging weather conditions.
These problems were evident at the recent British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where both Hamilton and Leclerc struggled. Rainy conditions saw both drivers go off track during the race, and once again, Ferrari failed to place a car on the podium.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Ferrari to see if their upgrades can deliver meaningful results. Hamilton and Leclerc may not be best friends on or off the track, but if they can push each other to greater heights, it may be just what Ferrari needs to return to winning ways.
