Hamilton Backs Vasseur, McLaren Feel the Heat, and Wolff’s Verstappen Strategy Emerges
Ferrari’s internal unity gets tested, Mercedes hedge future bets, and Aston Martin’s upgrade splits their driver pairing
On the Grid this week.
Montreal left us with more questions than answers. Ferrari’s internal leadership has come under scrutiny, prompting Lewis Hamilton to take a public stand. McLaren’s grip on the 2025 season looked shakier than usual, while Aston Martin’s upgrades have created a clear divide between their two drivers.
Mercedes, meanwhile, are juggling the present and the future, celebrating a win while quietly courting Max Verstappen.
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Hamilton Publicly Backs Vasseur Amid Ferrari Pressure
Lewis Hamilton has strongly defended Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur following media speculation that the Frenchman’s role is under threat.
Reports from Italy suggested Vasseur might be replaced after Ferrari’s stuttering start to the 2025 season, but Hamilton made it clear he’s in Vasseur’s corner.
“Fred’s the main reason I’m in this team,” he said. “I do believe Fred is the person to take us to the top.”
Hamilton’s statement reinforces the importance of stability at Maranello, especially as Ferrari work to catch up with McLaren. It also signals that Hamilton is looking beyond short-term results, he’s betting on leadership and long-term structure. That message could resonate inside a team often distracted by pressure and politics.
(Source: F1Technical, UK)
Vasseur Admits Ferrari Still Lag Behind McLaren
Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur has acknowledged the team’s recovery since its early-season slump, but also made clear they’re still behind McLaren.
After a tough start and a 60-point gap to Red Bull and Mercedes, Ferrari has clawed back to third in the Constructors’ Championship. But Vasseur admits “we missed opportunities” and “didn’t do the same level of job as last year.”
He praised improved strategy, pit work, and reliability, but said that’s not enough:
“The target is not to do a good job. The target is to do a better job than the others.”
He also pointed to McLaren’s resurgence from 2022–2023 as the model of resilience and incremental improvement. The comments reflect a growing sense of urgency at Ferrari; this is no longer a rebuilding project, it’s a race against time.
(Source: RaceFans, UK)
McLaren Misses the Podium in Canada, But Aren’t Panicing Yet
McLaren’s Canadian Grand Prix marked the first time in 2025 that they’ve missed the podium, but team principal Andrea Stella is urging calm.
The Montreal circuit’s unique mix of chicanes, heavy braking, and low grip exposed some of the MCL39’s few weaknesses, particularly in qualifying. Lando Norris made a costly error in Q3 and never recovered, while Oscar Piastri’s race pace was strong but not dominant.
“This track is neither an apple nor a pear,” said Stella, referencing his earlier analogy about comparing circuits properly. The real concern lies in McLaren’s unpredictability over a single lap, an area rivals like Mercedes and Red Bull may look to exploit.
Still, the team’s tyre management and long-run speed remain elite. Barring repeat track-specific struggles, McLaren still holds the advantage. But the days of effortless weekends may be over.
(Source: Motorsport.com)
Wolff Says Russell’s Win Changes Nothing, But Timing Says Otherwise
Toto Wolff has downplayed the idea that George Russell’s Canadian Grand Prix win will fast-track his contract renewal, saying, “We know he can perform.” But the timing is notable.
Russell’s victory, alongside Kimi Antonelli’s maiden podium, came as Mercedes look to re-establish themselves as contenders. Wolff praised Russell’s maturity, stating he’s naturally become the team’s lead driver post-Hamilton.
The team has a timeline in place to settle the contract “after the triple headers,” but it’s clear Russell is making his case impossible to ignore. With the 2026 driver market looming and Mercedes publicly flirting with Max Verstappen, locking Russell in would eliminate internal uncertainty. If Russell keeps this form up, Mercedes may find themselves needing to act sooner than planned.
(Source: Formula1.com)
Wolff’s Verstappen Diplomacy Signals Mercedes Ambitions
Toto Wolff’s careful treatment of Max Verstappen amid ongoing on-track incidents with George Russell points to more than just paddock diplomacy; it’s strategic positioning.
Despite Verstappen’s involvement in three post-race protests and a direct collision in Spain, Wolff has consistently aimed his frustration at Red Bull, not Verstappen. “I’m 100% sure it’s not Max,” he said after Canada. The soft tone is no accident. Mercedes missed out on signing Verstappen once already, and Wolff doesn’t want to make the same mistake as 2026 approaches.
While Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, Wolff has hinted, “If a driver doesn’t want to stay somewhere, it’s very difficult to keep a driver.” In other words: the door is open, and Wolff is keeping it polite, just in case.
(Source: RaceFans, UK)
Alonso Clicks with Aston Martin Upgrades as Stroll Flounders
Fernando Alonso’s recent uptick in form has everything to do with Aston Martin’s new upgrade package, but Lance Stroll isn’t seeing the same results.
The AMR25 received a new floor, diffuser, and sidepod design ahead of Imola, and Alonso immediately felt the difference: “I feel the car and I can push to the maximum,” he said in Canada.
Stroll, however, remains frustrated. “I don’t really feel any difference,” he told media after finishing 17th at his home race. A Q1 red flag and tyre choice confusion didn’t help, but Stroll insisted the problems are deeper.
The team says setups aren’t “tremendously” different, but Alonso appears far more in sync. With further upgrades planned, Aston Martin must figure out how to balance the car for both drivers, especially if they hope to stay competitive in a crowded midfield.
(Source: The Race, UK)
Nigel Mansell to Drive Restored FW11 at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Williams has confirmed that Nigel Mansell will be reunited with the FW11 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this July.
The car, restored in collaboration with Honda, marks the first time Mansell will drive the machine since clinching the Constructors’ title nearly four decades ago. The FW11 features a twin-turbo V6 engine and represents a golden era of F1 dominance.
“It’s a powerful tribute to the remarkable era of innovation and success we forged,” said Williams Heritage Director Jonathan Kennard.
Joining Mansell will be Riccardo Patrese, Thierry Boutsen, Jamie Chadwick and Lia Block, making this one of the most anticipated heritage showcases of the year.
(Source: F1Technical, UK)
F1 Academy Extends Montreal Deal Through 2028
F1 Academy has signed a three-year contract extension to remain on the Canadian Grand Prix weekend schedule through 2028.
The all-female series made its debut at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve this year to strong local support and growing global attention. Canadian driver Nicole Havrda raced her home track for the first time, while Netflix’s F1: The Academy and a 111% rise in social followers have fuelled the series’ visibility.
“This extension supports our growing platform,” said Managing Director Susie Wolff. The announcement is both a strategic step for long-term calendar placement and a statement of intent on gender diversity in elite motorsport.
(Source: F1Technical, UK)