Fred Vasseur hails ‘very special’ Tifosi for giving Lewis Hamilton a boost at Monza

Lewis Hamilton‘s first Italian Grand Prix in Ferrari red was one of the standout stories of the weekend, as the seven-time world champion soaked up the passion of the tifosi. Team boss Fred Vasseur believes that energy played a key role in Hamilton’s performance.

Tifosi spark Lewis Hamilton’s Monza comeback

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur didn’t hide his delight at the electric welcome Lewis Hamilton received from the tifosi as he made his Italian GP debut in red.

The deafening support from fans both in Milan and at Monza, he said, “was something very special for him…something mega,” and it “gave him an extra boost all over the weekend.”

Fighting through the field

Hamilton began the Italian Grand Prix in 10th place, having dropped down five grid spots after a penalty. But he battled back to finish sixth, showing both patience and aggression around Monza’s high-speed layout.

The opening stages were tricky, with Hamilton boxed in behind midfield traffic and forced to balance attack with tyre management.

Hamilton carved his way through, picking off rivals with DRS along the main straight. The highlight was his duel with former Mercedes teammate George Russell, a wheel-to-wheel scrap that showed Hamilton’s racecraft remains as sharp as ever.

Though he couldn’t quite break into the top five, the recovery drive underlined his ability to extract the maximum from Ferrari’s package.

Sixth place may not sound like a headline result, but considering the penalty and Ferrari’s gap to McLaren and Red Bull at the front, it was an encouraging outcome. It also meant valuable points in the Constructors’ fight, especially with Charles Leclerc finishing ahead in fourth.

Vasseur confident that momentum is building

Vasseur is confident that Hamilton’s strong performance at Monza signals real upside for the season. “Yes, we can expect him to be on the podium,” he declared, citing Hamilton’s recovery drive – particularly his duel with George Russell – as proof of what’s to come.

Ferrari remain second in the Constructors’ championship but trail runaway leaders McLaren by a hefty margin. Still, Italy showed signs of progress – both on the track and in morale.

With the tifosi fully behind Hamilton and Ferrari, Vasseur believes the team has fresh energy to carry into the final stretch of the season.

What’s next for Hamilton and Ferrari?

Attention now turns to the next round, where Ferrari hope to convert Hamilton’s Monza momentum into a genuine podium fight.

The signs are promising. Hamilton looked comfortable in race trim, Leclerc continues to deliver consistent points, and the tifosi’s faith has injected a spark of belief back into Maranello.

For Hamilton, the target is clear. After experiencing the full force of Ferrari passion in Italy, he’ll be aiming to reward that loyalty with silverware before the season is out.