Looking ahead to the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has called for better communication with Lewis Hamilton following a disappointing start to the 2025 season at the Australian Grand Prix. Despite having an advantage, Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc struggled during the wet race, with Leclerc finishing eighth and Hamilton in tenth. Hamilton, in particular, faced challenges as it was his first wet-track outing in a Ferrari F1 car, needing to adjust to the wet settings and a new race engineer, Riccardo Adami.
During the Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton’s radio exchanges with Adami highlighted issues with communication, as Hamilton repeatedly asked not to be reminded about switching to the ‘K1’ power setting on his SF-25. Vasseur acknowledged the need for improved communication between the pit wall and the car, emphasizing the importance of understanding Hamilton’s preferences. Despite the disappointing performance, Vasseur stressed the team’s focus on learning from their mistakes and improving communication for the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix, aiming to be much better in the next race.
The team also faced challenges in strategy during the Australian Grand Prix, with a late pit stop call causing Hamilton and Leclerc to drop positions. Vasseur recognized the mistakes made and urged the team to analyze and learn from the race, emphasizing the need to understand what Hamilton requires in terms of communication. He expressed confidence that the team would be better prepared for the Chinese Grand Prix, having gained valuable insights from their experience in Australia.
The Australian Grand Prix results saw Lando Norris of McLaren taking the top spot, followed by Max Verstappen of Red Bull and George Russell of Mercedes. Ferrari’s Leclerc finished eighth, while Hamilton took the tenth spot. The challenging race highlighted areas for improvement for the Ferrari team, particularly in communication with Hamilton and in strategizing for future races. Despite the setbacks, Vasseur remains optimistic about the team’s prospects in the upcoming races, aiming to rectify their mistakes and perform better in the Chinese Grand Prix.
Vasseur’s focus on improving communication with Hamilton underscores the importance of effective teamwork and coordination within the Ferrari team. Learning from their experience in Australia, the team aims to enhance their communication strategies and better understand Hamilton’s preferences to optimize performance in future races. With a commitment to rectifying their mistakes and a determination to learn and grow from each race, Ferrari is poised to make improvements and strive for success in the competitive world of Formula 1 racing.
As Ferrari prepares for the Chinese Grand Prix, Vasseur’s call for improved communication and understanding of Hamilton’s needs highlights the team’s dedication to continuous improvement and learning from past experiences. With a focus on analyzing their performance at the Australian Grand Prix and making necessary adjustments, the team aims to bounce back stronger and deliver a stronger showing in the upcoming race. By acknowledging their mistakes and emphasizing the importance of effective communication and strategy, Ferrari is positioning itself for success and aiming to secure better results in the highly competitive world of Formula 1 racing.
