By the admission of Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, he and Lewis Hamilton underestimated the challenge of his adaptation.

Lewis Hamilton’s first season in Ferrari red has been anything but straightforward. Still without podiums, and victories, the seven-time world champion’s transition from Mercedes has been marked by frustration on track and headlines off it.

If Hamilton did call time on his F1 career at the end of the year, Ferrari would have an interesting decision to make regarding his replacement. While Haas’ Oliver Bearman is the standout option, Herbert believes that Fred Vasseur could look to an old friend to step in.