“LEWIS HAMILTON IS BACK”: FERRARI BOSS HAILS COMEBACK DRIVE AFTER STRONG US GRAND PRIX WEEKEND

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has declared that “Lewis Hamilton is back” after the seven-time Formula 1 world champion produced one of his strongest weekends yet in red at the United States Grand Prix.

Hamilton, who joined Ferrari at the start of the season, finished fourth in both the sprint and the grand prix at the Circuit of The Americas, showing pace and confidence reminiscent of his title-winning years. For much of the weekend, the Briton was comfortably ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc, a fact that did not go unnoticed inside the Ferrari garage — or among rivals across the paddock.

“And Lewis is back,” Vasseur told Sky Sports Germany after Sunday’s race. “Two thirds of the weekend he was faster than Charles this weekend. It’s good for the team and the emulation.”

Finding Form in Ferrari Red

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was hailed as one of the most dramatic transfers in modern F1 history — a partnership uniting the sport’s most decorated driver with its most iconic team. Yet the transition has not been without turbulence. Both Hamilton and Vasseur admitted earlier this year that they may have “underestimated the challenge” of adapting to the car’s setup, structure, and the unique pressure that comes with representing Ferrari.

The early months of the season were marked by inconsistency — flashes of brilliance tempered by mechanical issues and strategy missteps. However, the weekend in Austin marked a clear step forward. The Ferrari looked well-balanced on both tire compounds, and Hamilton’s race pace was competitive with the frontrunners, particularly through the high-speed S-sequence that defines the first sector.

For Vasseur, the significance went beyond lap times. It was about momentum, and about Hamilton rediscovering the rhythm that has defined his career.

“It’s good for the team because we need to have this kind of emulation for everybody,” Vasseur explained. “You need to have two cars. For us it’s important, and if we want to maximise the number of points that we’ll score until the end, we have to score with two cars for sure.”

Team Harmony and the “Double Threat” Ferrari Needs

Inside Ferrari, the message is clear: both drivers must deliver. Leclerc remains one of the fastest qualifiers in F1, but Hamilton’s experience, adaptability, and consistency are proving invaluable as the team chases Red Bull and Mercedes in the constructors’ standings.

Hamilton’s feedback has reportedly accelerated Ferrari’s development direction, especially regarding tire management and race balance — two long-standing weaknesses for the Scuderia. His ability to maintain tire life over longer stints allowed him to challenge Leclerc and the McLarens late in both races in Austin.

Ferrari insiders say Hamilton’s calm influence has also begun to reshape the team’s culture. While Leclerc brings youthful fire, Hamilton has brought what one engineer described as “strategic composure.”

“The car is not yet perfect,” Vasseur noted, “but weekends like this show that we’re getting closer. Lewis is pushing us all forward.”

A Statement Weekend

The United States Grand Prix weekend offered a microcosm of Ferrari’s evolving dynamic. In the sprint, Hamilton edged Leclerc by a few tenths in key sessions, finishing ahead on both Saturday and Sunday. Though neither driver could match the outright pace of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, Ferrari’s consistency across both events was a marked improvement.

Hamilton’s aggressive yet measured drive on Sunday — particularly his late-race duels with Lando Norris and George Russell — impressed both fans and analysts. Despite missing the podium, the Briton’s body language after the race was telling: more upbeat, more confident, more like the Hamilton who once dominated Formula 1.

“Lewis looks lighter,” said Sky Sports commentator Karun Chandhok. “You can see he’s comfortable again. Ferrari seems to be giving him a car he can finally fight with.”

Eyes on the Future

While Ferrari remains mathematically out of championship contention this season, Vasseur believes the final races of the year will be crucial in defining their 2026 campaign — especially with the new regulations looming. Having Hamilton in form could be the difference between a strong finish and a statement of intent.

For Hamilton, the message from Austin was clear: the learning phase is over. The adaptation period that once frustrated him has given way to confidence. He’s back in the fight — not just with his teammate, but with the sport’s elite once more.

“You can see the fire again,” said one Ferrari insider. “This weekend, Lewis wasn’t just driving the car — he was leading the team.”

As the paddock packs up from Austin and heads to Mexico, the echoes of Vasseur’s words still ring through the garages and hospitality suites alike:

“Lewis is back.”

And if the Ferrari boss is right, Formula 1 may be about to feel the full force of a champion reborn.