Ferrari Boss Hails Tifosi Energy As Hamilton Lifted At Monza

• Fred Vasseur said the passion of the Tifosi gave Lewis Hamilton “an extra boost” during his first Italian Grand Prix weekend as a Ferrari driver.
• Ferrari could not deliver a podium at Monza, with Charles Leclerc finishing fourth and Hamilton climbing from 10th to sixth.
• Vasseur believes Hamilton’s form has improved since Zandvoort and expects podiums in the final eight races of the season.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur praised the role of the Tifosi in lifting Lewis Hamilton across the Italian Grand Prix weekend, saying their energy was “something very special” for the seven-time World Champion.

Monza marked Hamilton’s first home race as a Ferrari driver, and fans greeted him with enthusiasm at every opportunity. The Scuderia hosted events in Milan before the weekend began, and by the time the drivers arrived at the circuit, Hamilton was already the centre of attention.

“I think the energy that he received from the Tifosi Wednesday, Thursday in [Milan] was something very special for him,” Vasseur said after the race. “I don’t know if it was expected from him or I don’t know what he was expecting from this, but it was something mega and I think this gave him an extra boost all over the weekend.

“Even tonight when he went to the fans to say hello and the Tifosi was something mega. I don’t know if you underestimate this or not, that we didn’t discuss too much about this, but I think, and even for me, each time that I’m going there I’m surprised.

“We didn’t do the race of our life, we were expecting to be at least on the podium, we are not, but they are still there, they are still enthusiastic, still pushing and it’s why I’m a bit disappointed that we were not able to give them a podium this weekend.

“But I’m really convinced that it’s part of the energy into the team and the positive energy around Lewis this weekend.”

Ferrari showed strong pace early on, with Hamilton fastest in FP1 and Leclerc close to the front throughout practice. In qualifying, Leclerc was in contention for the front row but missed out on the final runs. On race day, both drivers were competitive but unable to match the podium finishers.

Leclerc provided wheel-to-wheel entertainment in a battle with Oscar Piastri on his way to fourth, while Hamilton charged back from his grid penalty, making up four positions to take sixth behind George Russell.

“We had to serve the penalty, and we knew from the beginning of the weekend that with plus five it’s not an easy one, but [Hamilton] came back behind Russell and the pace was there from the first lap of FP1 to the last lap of the race,” Vasseur explained.

“Honestly, I think this started in Zandvoort last week. It’s difficult to say because the outcome of the weekend was not positive for him, but at the end of the day, the pace was better from the beginning, compared to Charles, the mood was better.

“During the race, he was fighting with Russell until Lap 30, that means that he was back in a better position.”

Hamilton’s sixth place at Monza was his best Grand Prix finish since Silverstone, where he finished fourth, and it ended a run of two races without points. He has yet to stand on the podium this season, but Vasseur believes that is only a matter of time.

“[Hamilton] was able to fight with Russell in Zandvoort, to come back from P10 to the gearbox of Russell today,” Vasseur said. “Russell was a couple of times on the podium, [so] yes we can expect him to be on the podium.”