Toto Wolff thinks Ferrari have just avoided making a ‘truly stupid’ mistake for 2026

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Ferrari must have realised early in the 2025 season that they wouldn’t achieve their title ambitions. McLaren were rapid, and they were floundering.

Lewis Hamilton converted pole position in the Sprint race in China just a week into the new season. That appeared to be an exciting glimpse of their potential, but they were subsequently hit with a double disqualification in the main race.

With Hamilton recording excessive plank wear, Ferrari recognised that they had to raise the ride height of their car, costing them downforce and lap time. Fred Vasseur was forced to accept that the SF-25 was fundamentally flawed.

Ferrari have introduced a series of major upgrades, but there’s still a high chance that they go the whole year without winning a race. A season like that is never acceptable at Maranello, and it will increase the pressure even further for the 2026 regulation changes.

Toto Wolff reacts to Ferrari renewing Fred Vasseur’s contract

Despite the team’s underperformance, it was announced before the Hungarian Grand Prix that Vasseur had signed a new multi-year contract. His current deal was due to expire at the end of the year.

The Frenchman’s position had come under intense scrutiny in June, but Hamilton strongly backed Vasseur, as did Charles Leclerc. That was likely a key factor in John Elkann opting for continuity.

In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff was asked about this decision. The two are extremely close – Vasseur was the best man at Wolff’s wedding.

• READ MORE: John Elkann hints at the reason Ferrari are not ‘victorious’ in F1 anymore after identifying ‘important’ issue

Hamilton’s former boss says it would have been ‘truly stupid’ to axe Vasseur, who joined ahead of the 2023 season. Wolff stressed that it takes time to achieve success at this level.

“Any other choice would have been truly stupid. I’ve known Fred since we were in our early twenties, and I know his value as a motorsports man,” he said.

“I know his entrepreneurial vision and his strength. Having someone like him on your team is a blessing, and you have to remember how much time it takes, in F1, to create a successful project.”

Fred Vasseur angered by question over Lewis Hamilton salary

One of the biggest challenges Vasseur faces is managing Hamilton’s emotions. The seven-time champion has been devoid of all hope at his lowest moments this season.

Worst of all, he said after qualifying 12th at the Hungarian GP that he was ‘useless’ and that Ferrari needed to replace him. Vasseur naturally disagreed with Hamilton, putting his comments down to frustration.

The ex-Sauber man was instrumental in the blockbuster swoop, having worked with him as a junior driver. Ferrari have made Hamilton the highest-paid driver on the grid, including bonuses.

An unimpressed Vasseur refused to answer a question about whether Hamilton had offered good value for money. Ferrari’s biggest hope at this stage will be that he finds greater comfort in a more competitive 2026 car.