Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur reacts to Lewis Hamilton’s race-ending crash at the Dutch Grand Prix

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Ferrari came into the Dutch Grand Prix hoping to take a step forward after some promising moments in the races before the summer break.

Charles Leclerc took pole position in Hungary, while Lewis Hamilton was very positive after qualifying in Zandvoort.

However, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur had to watch on as both of his drivers saw their Dutch Grand Prix come to an end at exactly the same corner.

Lewis Hamilton made a very surprising mistake, bringing out the first safety car of the day.

Karun Chandhok provided his theory on Hamilton’s crash, and it wasn’t long before Leclerc was crashed into by Andrea Kimi Antonelli at the banked turn three, leading to him sitting on the inside of the track until the chequered flag.

Leclerc voiced his concerns on the team radio before Hamilton’s incident, and the pair have seen the gap to George Russell in the drivers’ championship increase further after their DNFs.

Ferrari are now 324 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ standings, and Vasseur was asked about Hamilton’s crash and gave an interesting verdict.

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Ferrari chief Fred Vasseur comments on Lewis Hamilton’s crash at the Dutch Grand Prix

Vasseur was asked on Sky Sports F1 (31/8 4:31 pm) whether he would expect a seven-time world champion to make a mistake like he did at Zandvoort and he explained: “I think he was behind George from the beginning of the race, and it was when we had the first drizzle and perhaps he was a bit wider in the corner, perhaps he was a bit faster than the lap before, a bit wider and probably he touched the side of the track.

“Overall, I think Lewis did a very good job this weekend. He was part of the recovery of the team, which he was able to push us and come back on a decent pace after the poor Friday, and the race pace was OK.

“But, for sure, if you want to score points, you have to [finish].”

Hamilton is pushing Vasseur behind the scenes to help improve Ferrari, but he and Leclerc can’t afford any mistakes on the track, considering how perfect McLaren tend to be.

Vasseur has his star driver’s back, but he will know that at some point soon, he needs to start delivering results.

READ MORE: Who is Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur? Everything you need to know

Jacques Villeneuve gives his verdict on Lewis Hamilton’s Dutch Grand Prix crash

It was put to Jacques Villeneuve immediately after Vasseur’s interview that it’s an uncharacteristic mistake from Hamilton, and he said: “No, but it’s so easy to make. In that kind of drizzle, you just never know when it will be that one drop too much.

“And we’ve all been caught like this. If you drive in the dry, as you would normally drive in the dry, suddenly, you slide.

“And the way he slid, you could tell it was just sudden lack of grip, a bit of wet on the paint, and he got caught out and not by much, he just glanced the tyre barrier and that was it.”

Hamilton returns to action next weekend at the Italian Grand Prix, which is now the most important race of the season for Ferrari with nothing else to play for.

The Scuderia will bring a special update package as they typically do, and the hope is that it can finally help Hamilton achieve that coveted podium finish.