Frederic Vasseur with an open heart: the Ferrari team principal talks about himself in an exclusive interview on Sky Sports F1, analyzing and explaining his expectations in view of the new start of the season: “We worked a lot on the project – explains Vasseur. There is a certain excitement, that's clear, but it's almost time to find out where we stand”. The sensations, at the moment, are particularly positive, but it is clear that the first confirmations will come from the Bahrain track. “There is no clear picture. Even in Bahrain – said Vasseur – it will be difficult to have it, even if it already seemed quite evident last year. We know what we've done and we know where we stand, but we need to discover the strength of our opponents to understand what work we have done".
Vasseur talks about himself in the interview on Sky Sport: “Hamilton? We needed a pilot with his palmares"
The objective of the Red Team is clearly to have an excellent 2024 season, even if many are already thinking about next year, when Hamilton will officially become a new Ferrari driver. "The first year I spent with him in Formula 3 he won 18 races out of 21, but more than that I noticed the level of demand asked of himself, of the team and of all the people he surrounds himself with. It's not just a question of talent: I believe this is an aspect that all great champions have in common”. Winning mentality, exactly what Hamilton will have to bring to Ferrari: “It was a pretty natural move. I think Lewis always had it in mind to come to Maranello and I think from us we needed to have a driver with this track record. It will be a pillar to lay the foundations and will give us a great hand".
“Leclerc renewal? I cannot give further details."
The objective, however, will be to start 2024, the last year of, in the best possible way Sainz"It wasn't the easiest phone call of my life – said Vasseur – as well as the one to Toto, but I think Carlos understood the situation. He knows why we made the announcement so soon, primarily as a form of respect and to encourage him to look for a new team soon and secure his future. I'm sure who will push like crazy and who will have enormous support from me and from Ferrari. Last year he started our comeback: he will have full support”. With Sainz's farewell, 2025 will be characterized by the Hamilton-Leclerc pairing: “Charles is a smart guy. He understood very quickly what he could achieve and learn from this type of collaboration. He's seeing it all as an opportunity”. And in the meantime Leclerc is enjoying the renewal with Ferrari, although Vasseur does not want to give further details: “I can't talk about the details on the duration of the contract: I think it would be like an advantage to give to the opponents". In view of the new season, Vasseur has no doubts: “I will be happy at the end of the season if we do better than we did in 2023".
