Ferrari remains confident in Lewis Hamilton ahead of his final season at Mercedes. The driver will replace Carlos Sainz from the 2025 season.
Their February announcement of Lewis Hamilton’s signing sent shockwaves through the F1 community and beyond, igniting discussions about his on-track performance but also the strategic implications for the Italian team.
Where many feel his time at the top has ended, others feel this will be the new beginning the British driver needs.
“Lewis will add value.”
In an exclusive interview with motorsport.com, Team Principal Fred Vasseur has shed light on the benefits that Hamilton will bring.
Vasseur has emphasised that Hamilton’s influence will extend beyond qualifying sessions and race days. It will also be about his approach to racing, a journey that begins months before the season does. His decades’ long experience and perspective as a seven-time World Champion, promises invaluable insights to Ferrari’s developmental trajectory.
“It’s starting sometimes six or eight months before the season, to be able to work on the next project, to bring his own experience, his own view on what we can do, or how we could do it and so on and so on.”
Vasseur, recognising Ferrari’s developing stage as an organisation, stresses the significance of integrating Hamilton’s expertise. He has shared that the team has time to make this work: “We have time to discuss this with Lewis and, for me, into the building process of the team – you want to have a long-term view and for the next cycle.“
“I’m not speaking about ’24 or ’25, it’s about cycle and it’s where clearly, we have to do steps.
He went on to say, “We made some improvements already, I think, compared to 12 months ago. To involve the drivers much earlier into the project and to build up the characteristic of the car with them.”
Leaks: the Sport’s Playground
Unlike past Ferrari announcements where news leaked prematurely, the team managed to keep the Hamilton development under wraps. Vasseur ensures a proactive approach to keeping sensitive information safe.
Under his leadership, Ferrari wishes to strengthen their internal mechanisms, ensuring that strategic plans remain shielded from external scrutiny until the time is right.
The Hamilton signing, however, did break early, sending fans into shock and mass panic. Vasseur believes, “It was done by purpose by someone from the UK.”
There is no denying that the Frenchman is proud of his team and the work they are putting in to bring Ferrari back to the top.
As Ferrari embark on their new chapter, what remains clear is how they are confident in Hamilton in achieve this.
Image Credit: Kym Illman/Getty Images and Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images.