Fred Vasseur acknowledged that securing Lewis Hamilton’s signature is a major chance for Ferrari, but the head of the team also confessed to having a challenging discussion with Toto Wolff, his counterpart at Mercedes, following the acquisition of their driver.

14 days ago, the seven-time champion of the world surprised Mercedes, his team since 2013 where he has won six titles, by revealing that he will be moving to Ferrari in 2025. Wolff confessed that he was taken aback because Hamilton had just signed a new contract with Mercedes in August and they had discussed their future at the team as recently as Christmas.

During the unveiling of Ferrari’s latest car, the SF-24 Vasseur made their first public appearance since finalizing the deal. They stood in front of Enzo Ferrari’s desk, located in the founder’s office in Maranello.

Convincing Hamilton to join Ferrari resulted in the team choosing to replace their current driver Carlos Sainz for the 2025 season. Vasseur admitted that informing Sainz of his departure was not the most difficult discussion he had during the negotiation process.

“I wouldn’t say it was the most straightforward decision of my life,” he explained when discussing informing Sainz. “However, the toughest one was definitely the conversation with Toto.”

Vasseur and Hamilton have had a strong connection for a long time. In 2005, when Hamilton won the F3 championship in his first attempt, Vasseur was his team principal at ART Grand Prix. The following year, when Hamilton won the GP2 championship, Vasseur was still in charge at ART. Their friendship has continued over the years and Vasseur suggested that this may have influenced Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari.

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“We have maintained a positive partnership for over two decades,” he stated. “We consistently communicated to discuss various matters and the deal arose organically. I am unsure of what was effortless or challenging, but it unfolded gradually.”

Vasseur expressed his interest in the 2024 season, but acknowledged the significance of Hamilton’s entry in 2025 for Ferrari. The team has not claimed a drivers’ championship since Kimi Räikkönen’s victory in 2007, making it their longest period without a title in their history.

“Regarding Lewis, this presents a great opportunity for the team,” he stated. “We have confidence that he will contribute significantly to our future progress and it will be a beneficial challenge for everyone.”

Next year, Hamilton will be teaming up with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari. The Monegasque driver, who recently extended his contract with Ferrari, shared that he was aware of the team’s efforts to recruit Hamilton.

“The completion of this type of agreement does not happen suddenly. It requires time and I was informed of those negotiations before I agreed to the deal, so I was not caught off guard,” he stated. “I have communicated with Lewis, especially when everything was made public and official. We exchanged text messages.”

The duo already have a strong bond and he also expressed his admiration for Hamilton, whom he eagerly anticipates collaborating with in what is expected to be one of the top driver duos on the track.

“Clearly, Lewis is an exceptional driver and the most accomplished in history. His extensive experience is a valuable asset for the team. It is fascinating to have a new partner, as it allows for learning new driving techniques and approaches to work. This is especially exciting since my new teammate is a seven-time world champion.”

Source: theguardian.com