Fred Vasseur might have made a Charles Leclerc decision that ends Lewis Hamilton’s future title hopes

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Ferrari are approaching a crossroads at the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season that nobody would have seen coming 12 months ago.

This time last year, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were putting pressure on McLaren in the constructors’ championship, hoping to win Ferrari’s first title since 2008.

They came perilously close in Abu Dhabi, but this season, Leclerc and his new teammate Lewis Hamilton are simply searching for podium finishes in a campaign where they’ve yet to experience their first Grand Prix victory.

Ferrari have made costly mistakes with their development this season, and with a new set of regulations to prepare for in 2026, team principal Fred Vasseur will know he can’t lead his team in the wrong direction once again.

However, Ralf Schumacher and journalist Peter Hardenacke have discovered an issue that is going to hamper one of Ferrari’s drivers going forward.

Schumacher has identified that Ferrari’s drivers don’t share the same driving style, and based on what he’s seen within the team so far, he’s not sure that the team will lean in Hamilton’s direction next year when it comes to their car development.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

Ralf Schumacher thinks Fred Vasseur prefers Charles Leclerc over Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari

Schumacher was speaking about Ferrari on the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast, and he explained: “When I see what other racing drivers are doing today, well, then you might ask yourself from the outside, where is the future of the team?

“And I think Lewis Hamilton is asking himself the same question, and that has consequences, not only that, but the consequence is that Charles Leclerc obviously prefers a different car to Lewis Hamilton.

“Otherwise, it would be easier; they wouldn’t have so many small mistakes and so on, because the speed is sometimes OK, it’s just that the consistency isn’t there.

“And that will be the next issue for Ferrari. Who do I listen to now? Who do I develop the car with?

“Because, honestly, you can’t develop two cars. Yes, and then there are the new rules as well. So, it’s going to be an exciting time.”

Hardenacke replied: “Remember, Ralf, when we were in Maranello, I had the feeling that Fred was really explicitly defending Charles and saying that everything he does is always intended to help the team move forward, right?

“I think he made a clear distinction there compared to Hamilton, if you listened closely. So I have the feeling that he’s relying on him when you say that the car is being developed in one direction and not so much in the other.

“At least that’s the feeling I had after that day in Maranello.”

Schumacher concluded: “Well, that’s one way of looking at it, but to be honest, you have to ask yourself, who is closer to whom? I think Fred is closer to Charles.”

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

David Coulthard sends Michael Schumacher warning to Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari

It’s been a tricky first season in Ferrari colours for Hamilton, and he has just three more opportunities to end his wait for a first podium racing for the Scuderia.

Hamilton has known Vasseur for a long time, having won the GP2 title with his ART outfit in 2006.

However, Leclerc’s seven years as a Ferrari driver, as well as his time before then coming through the academy, mean he’s far more accustomed to how the team works and will have a stronger relationship with the manufacturer’s staff.

David Croft has wondered if Hamilton has upset some Ferrari staff behind the scenes this season with his suggestions on how to improve their working habits.

On top of this, David Coulthard worries Hamilton is suffering from the same issue as Michael Schumacher at the end of his career, and may have lost some of the raw speed that earned him seven world championships.

If either of those factors is true, then that would explain why Vasseur might slightly be leaning in favour of developing a Ferrari that suits Leclerc perfectly over Hamilton.