Ferrari crew boss Fred Vasseur says a long-lasting open channel of communication between himself and Lewis Hamilton led to talks of a take care of the Scuderia arising naturally, on a step-by-step timeline.
Rumors of Hamilton doubtlessly leaving Mercedes for Ferrari have circulated all through his profession with the German producer, albeit sporadically and with various levels of credibility.
Nonetheless, the occasional hypothesis gave the impression to be put to relaxation final summer time when the Briton signed what was believed to be a two-year extension to his take care of Mercedes, and sure his remaining contract in F1.
It has since come to mild that the seven-time world champion’s settlement included an choice and a deadline to scrap the second 12 months, which Hamilton successfully did to pave his option to Maranello on the finish of 2024.
Whereas it’s believed that Ferrari chairman John Elkann was instrumental in luring Hamilton away from Mercedes, the Exor CEO’s efforts had been doubtless profitable thanks largely by the groundwork performed by Vasseur.
In any case, the Frenchman and Hamilton are properly acquainted, with the previous mentoring the Briton throughout his championship profitable 12 months in GP2 all the best way again in 2006 with Vasseur’s ART Grand Prix outfit.
The pleasant relationship was subsequently maintained over time and proved helpful when Vasseur took the reins of the Scuderia firstly of 2023 and talks advanced “naturally” between the pair within the latter a part of the 12 months.
“You understand that we have now had a superb relationship for greater than 20 years now,” Vasseur informed the media on Tuesday on the presentation of Ferrari’s Sf-24 automobile.
We had been all the time involved to discuss various things and I believe it got here up naturally. I don’t know what was this simple or what was not, but it surely got here like this, step-by-step.”
As soon as discussions gathered tempo, Vasseur felt that the possibility to signal Hamilton was just too enormous to cross up. The Scuderia boss made clear that there have been completely no grievances in the direction of Carlos Sainz
“The chance of Lewis is one thing that it’s important to take into account in any case,” he defined. “He’s the man with the largest expertise, and it’s an enormous alternative for us, it’s nothing to do with Carlos.
“Carlos did a fantastic job final 12 months, I’m positive he’ll do a fantastic job subsequent 12 months, he’s very skilled, we have now an excellent private relationship however it’s like it’s and we have now to be centered on the longer term.”
Vasseur acknowledged nonetheless that informing Sainz of Ferrari’s resolution was a tough second.
“As you may think about, it was not the best name of my life,” he mentioned. “One of the crucial tough, with the one with Toto [Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal]!
“I’m totally satisfied he’s a really skilled driver, that he understands that we have now a protracted season in entrance of us, it’s an enormous alternative, and I believe it’s additionally a dream to be on this scenario, to have the crew behind him.
“I believe we had a protracted dialogue as you may think about, however I will probably be totally supportive of Carlos, he’s totally dedicated, and we all know that we have now to do the job collectively, we’re collectively, we’re skilled.”
As for 2025, Vasseur views Hamilton’s future presence on the Home of Maranello as a “good problem” for Ferrari. However within the interim, all sights are set on the Italian outfit’s upcoming marketing campaign.
“We’re positive that he’ll convey us a good step for the longer term and it will likely be a superb problem for everyone, however we need to be centered on 2024 and we don’t need to have any type of distraction,” Vasseur mentioned.
“It’s additionally why we made the announcement so early, as a result of it was vital for us to be centered on 2024 for all the season.
“I’m totally satisfied that Carlos will probably be totally devoted and totally dedicated till the final lap and the final nook of the season.
“And equally I’m positive that all the crew will probably be totally motivated and totally behind Carlos who did a fantastic job for us thus far.
“Now it’s vital for us to be centered on 2024. We’ve got a superb alternative, we labored so arduous on the mission that I don’t need to have any type of distraction.”
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