Lewis Hamilton’s dreams of glory at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix came crashing down—literally—when the iconic driver found himself in the barriers at Zandvoort. But amidst the wreckage, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is rallying behind the seven-time world champion, asserting that there’s still light to be found in this dark cloud. With a potential investigation into the technical integrity of Hamilton’s SF-25 on the table, Vasseur is determined to dissect what went wrong, even as the team grapples with a disappointing race outcome.
Hamilton had been showing signs of a resurgence, hanging tough in the top ten and matching the pace of his teammate Charles Leclerc throughout the weekend. However, fate took a cruel turn on lap 23 when a light drizzle transformed the track into a slippery nightmare. As Hamilton navigated the notorious Turn 3, his car lost traction on the painted surface, sending him crashing into the wall and forcing him to retire from the race—a painful first DNF of the season for the Brit.
The aftermath of the crash not only extinguished Ferrari’s hopes for a strong points finish but also led to Leclerc’s premature exit after a collision with Kimi Antonelli. Vasseur, however, was quick to dismiss any notions that Hamilton’s misjudgment stemmed from a lack of confidence in his machine. “Not really,” he asserted to the media. “This was a bit of a special one. The track was damp during the first drizzle, and it was wider than the lap before. We need to investigate if something happened on the car, but I don’t think so.”
Vasseur emphasized that Hamilton had been driving impressively up until the incident, and he insists that the positives from the weekend should not be overlooked. “Overall, the reaction from Lewis was good; he was into the pace of the car and of Charles, catching up with George Russell and fighting with him. It was a good recovery after two tough races before the break, but the outcome is not the one expected.”
Despite Hamilton’s unfortunate crash, Vasseur pointed out that Zandvoort showcased Hamilton’s best speed in months. After a string of disappointing performances in Canada, Silverstone, and Austria, Hamilton appeared to be back on track, closing the gap to Leclerc and showing competitive spirit against Mercedes’ George Russell. “After Monaco, the quali pace was good, then Canada, Silverstone, Austria – he was improving,” Vasseur noted. “The mood was positive. He can take a lot from the weekend and build confidence for Monza.”
As Ferrari heads into their home race at Monza, the pressure is mounting. With both cars failing to finish at Zandvoort, expectations were already low, but Vasseur remains optimistic about Hamilton’s potential. “He was quiet Thursday because he’d had two tough weekends before the break. Friday was more about the car than him. I can be more than pleased with the job done,” he said, emphasizing Hamilton’s solid performance despite the crash.
Vasseur’s unwavering support for Hamilton is a clear signal that Ferrari is committed to turning this setback into a stepping stone. “We must stay calm and take the season on average,” he urged, reminding everyone that the margin for success in Formula 1 is razor-thin. Whether or not the investigation reveals any technical anomalies with the SF-25, Ferrari is poised to reset quickly, with all eyes on Monza.
As Hamilton seeks to put the disappointment of the Dutch GP behind him, the stage is set for a dramatic comeback on one of Formula 1’s most revered circuits. Can Hamilton reclaim his competitive edge and silence the doubters? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: the drama of the Dutch Grand Prix has set the stage for an electrifying showdown in Italy. Buckle up, because the F1 season is far from over!