Hill warns Vasseur will ‘feel the heat’ if Ferrari's struggles persist

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Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill has issued a stark warning to Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, suggesting the Frenchman will soon be under serious pressure if the team’s underwhelming form continues.

After entering the 2025 season tipped as a title favourite – bolstered by the arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton alongside Charles Leclerc – Ferrari is floundering in a disappointing fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, 152 points adrift from leaders McLaren.

So far, the Italian outfit has scored only a single podium in its current campaign, courtesy of Leclerc’s third place finish in last month’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

In Miami last time out, the Scuderia’s struggles were laid bare, with Leclerc and Hamilton lagging not only their front-running rivals but also a revitalized Williams team.

Speaking on the BBC Chequered Flag podcast, Hill sees trouble ahead for Vasseur if Ferrari’s current underperformance continues.

“Yeah, they are and I think Fred’s going to feel the heat,” Hill said when asked if Ferrari had been left behind.

©Ferrari

“I think he’s going to feel the pressure now. He’s had a bit of a honeymoon period slotting in but now we’ve got a race like this where they appear to be very uncompetitive or not really competitive.

“They shouldn’t be being beaten by Williams – no disrespect to what Williams has done. They’ve done a fantastic job – but they should be way up there. They should be fighting for the title.”

Vasseur Banking on Upgrades and Driver Experience

Despite his team’s predicament, Vasseur remains optimistic, outlining the team’s short-term upgrade strategy and placing his trust in his drivers ahead of upcoming races.

“For sure everybody will have a new front wing in Barcelona – by definition and by regulation,” Vasseur explained.

“I think it will be perhaps a reset of the performance of everybody. Between now and Barcelona, we have Imola and Monaco, we will bring some small upgrades.

“I trust completely Charles and Lewis.

“Charles, if you have a look at the last five years, and Lewis is the record man of the competition, they are able to do the job in quali, plus on them it’s one of their characteristics.

“Today it’s not the case with this car, but we have to improve, and we have to do a much better job of this stage of the race.”

With the pressure now building, all eyes will be on Ferrari’s response – and Vasseur’s ability to steer the team back on track.

Read also: Hamilton battling tough off-track lure at Ferrari… and losing

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.