Hamilton is struggling for success with the Scuderia but has appreciated that he must do more than drive

S

uccess breeds expectation as Lewis Hamilton, who has enjoyed both like few other drivers in Formula One, knows only too well. Having set himself the task of returning a title for Ferrari, anticipation for his first season with the team was off the scale but success has been far from forthcoming. As the Scuderia have struggled the seven-time champion has been drawing on every bit of experience in what may be the defining challenge of his storied career.

At the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend Ferrari announced they were extending their contract with team principal Fred Vasseur, backing the Frenchman who was instrumental in bringing Hamilton to the Scuderia, to complete his mission of reforging Ferrari into a championship-winning outfit after underachieving for so long. However as the season approaches its summer break, with 10 races to come after Budapest and Ferrari winless, Vasseur still has much to achieve.

Hamilton has been outspoken in his support for Vasseur since he made the switch after 12 years with Mercedes but, during a season of acclimatisation and adaptation to a new team, the British driver has appreciated that he must do more than drive. Rather it seems, as Michael Schumacher managed to such great success with Ferrari, to take a leadership role.