Fred Vasseur, Team Principal of the Italian team, recently spoke about the impact of Lewis Hamilton's arrival and the future prospects for Ferrari.
Since, completely unexpectedly, the arrived on February 1st news of the arrival of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari (an operation in which Fred Vasseur seems to have been decisive) Formula 1 was unable to ignore this event and focus 100% on the 2024 season. Not only the media, but also the fans from all over the world, especially those of the red and those of Hamilton are wondering more about one of the most important movements in the Formula 1 market, especially in view of the 2025-2025 period.
The parties involved, however, in addition to the statements made during the days of the announcement, they preferred not to comment further. Both the Ferrari team principal and Lewis Hamilton did not want to go into details to focus completely on the current season. The English driver has been silent and, recently, also very irritated when faced with questions from journalists, so much so that he abandoned the press conference after the Suzuka GP, when he was asked the question whether he was jealous of Ferrari's performance. His response was, “Don't you have better questions?” before leaving the conference.
Hamilton and his experience: the winning choice for Ferrari
But Fred Vasseur made an exception in an interview granted to Radio France on April 14, where he decided to dedicate a few words on Hamilton's arrival at Ferrari next year:
"Lewis Hamilton's arrival is important for the team. In addition to speed, he brings serenity, experience and his palmares to the team. He has winning experience which we need at Ferrari to continue to improve."
Fred Vasseur for Radio France
When a driver like Lewis Hamilton knocks on the door, you can't help but open. And so they did in Maranello, even after a period in which the Englishman still seemed tied to his Mercedes family. The entry of the driver will certainly help the team to grow further, but it will also, according to Fred Vasseur, of great help to Charles Leclerc and his career:
I am extremely happy because I am convinced that the two will get along very well together. This will be of great help to Charles as a driver. We are not just talking about performance on the track during qualifying or races, but about a commitment that lasts 365 days a year. In this, I believe Lewis is an absolute master.
Fred Vasseur for Radio France
With the arrival of Hamilton, far from being overshadowed, as can be seen from Fred Vasseur's statements and also from what Charles himself declared in the days following the announcement, one senses the certainty that will be fundamental and of great help also for the growth of the Monegasque driver.
“Obviously Lewis is an incredible driver, the most successful in history, with a wealth of experience that he will bring to the team and to myself, which is good. It's always interesting to have a new teammate, because you learn different ways of working and driving. Even more so when my new teammate is a seven-time world champion."
Charles Leclerc for Formula 1
Monza: the most special moment
In the interview given to Radio France, Fred Vasseur also spoke about his experience as Team Principal from the pit wall, leading the most historic team on the grid not on the track but as manager. Since its arrival in 2023, one might think that surely the double in Australia 2024 it would have been his most special moment shared with the team, but instead the team principal chose another moment to remember and carry in his heart: Monza 2023.
"It's the first time I had the feeling of being in a football stadium or something, with the applause of the spectators when Charles crossed the finish line first, then Carlos with pole. It's something I've never experienced before"
Fred Vasseur for Radio France
Fred Vasseur admits that Ferrari is not a team like the others, represents a completely new experience for him. The unbridled support of the "red" has given Formula 1 a special place in Italy, but has also placed a great responsibility on those who work for the success of one of the most historic and iconic brands in the world. However, Vasseur has so far shown that he can handle this pressure and acknowledges that for now "everything is going well".
