Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur says Lewis Hamilton will stand on the podium before the season ends, despite the seven-time world champion still waiting for his first top-three finish in red. Hamilton started 10th at Monza after a grid penalty and climbed to sixth on his debut Italian Grand Prix for Ferrari.
Vasseur said the welcome from the tifosi gave Hamilton an extra lift throughout the weekend; he added that the 40-year-old’s pace behind George Russell at the flag showed the results will come. “Yes, we can expect him to be on the podium,” said the Frenchman.
Ferrari sit second in the constructors’ standings, far behind leaders McLaren. The team are still seeking a first grand prix victory of the year; Hamilton’s win came in the Saturday sprint in Shanghai, which does not include a podium ceremony. Charles Leclerc was fourth at Monza, where Max Verstappen won from pole ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Vasseur argued that Ferrari had closed the gap to McLaren at Monza, even if the orange cars remained ahead. He said several upcoming circuits should suit the SF car, name-checking Baku, and confirmed that attention inside Maranello has already shifted to the new engine and chassis for 2026.
Hamilton joined Ferrari from Mercedes in January. He spoke of drawing strength from the sea of red at Monza; the Briton also described the five-place grid drop he carried into the race as “hardcore”.
With eight rounds to go, plus three sprint events, Vasseur’s target is to bank consistent points, protect second in the teams’ table and give Hamilton a platform to break that Ferrari podium duck.
