Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has stepped in to clarify the remarks made by Lewis Hamilton during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, where the seven‑time world champion described himself as feeling like a "guinea pig". According to Vasseur, the team’s actions were driven by a strategic tyre‑temperature experiment rather than an attempt to use Hamilton as a test subject.
In the aftermath of the race, Hamilton’s radio messages expressed frustration over a sudden change in tyre‑pressure targets and a mid‑lap pit‑stop request that altered his rhythm. Vasseur told reporters that the engineers were trying to gather data on how the 2023 spec tyre behaved on the fast, flowing layout of Zandvoort, especially after the recent introduction of a new tyre construction by Pirelli. "We wanted to see how the car reacted when we adjusted the operating window," Vasseur said, adding that the information would help the whole team for the remaining races.
The clarification comes after the Dutch GP, where Hamilton qualified fourth but finished seventh after a strategic shuffle that saw him lose track position to rivals. While the British driver’s frustration was evident on the radio, Vasseur emphasized that the team had not intended to single‑out Hamilton. "It was a collective effort to understand the tyre behaviour, and the message was aimed at the whole crew, not just Lewis," he explained.
For Indian fans, the race took place on 27 August 2023, with the start at 14:00 IST. The event was broadcast live on FanCode, offering commentary in English and Hindi. Hamilton’s post‑race interview, where he voiced his concerns, was also streamed on the platform, providing Indian viewers with direct insight into the driver’s perspective.
Vasseur’s remarks aim to put the episode into context ahead of the next round in Italy, where tyre management will again be a key factor. The team hopes the data collected at Zandvoort will translate into a more stable performance for both Charles Leclerc and Hamilton as the championship enters its final phase.
Source: Autosport
