Sky Sports' lead Formula 1 commentator David Croft has questioned whether Lewis Hamilton is undermining Fred Vasseur's authority as Ferrari team principal. The seven-time world champion trails championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes by 103 points, and his results have tailed off sharply since his victory in Barcelona. "Yes," came the Briton's one-word reply when reporters asked whether Vasseur was the right man to lead the team.
Doubts over Ferrari's internal pecking order have deepened further. Croft suggested that Hamilton's emphasis on his close relationship with Ferrari chairman John Elkann calls Vasseur's leadership into question. "Is that actually undermining Fred just a little bit as well?" Croft asked. "If John Elkann takes such a hands-on role... then how do you expect your team principal to exert authority?" Despite the criticism and rumours linking former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with the job, Ferrari have given Vasseur their full backing.
