Lewis Hamilton agreed to move to Ferrari in the hope of winning again in F1 but returned to the top step of the podium with Mercedes last weekend at the British Grand Prix.
Frederic Vasseur, the head of Ferrari, has suggested the duration of Lewis Hamilton’s contract with the team as he prepares to join them in Italy.
Hamilton made the decision to join Ferrari before the start of the current season. Despite being pursued by the Italians in the past, he consistently opted to remain with Mercedes. However, this time he felt that the timing was appropriate for a change.
At the age of 40, he will make his debut for Ferrari in March. It is uncertain whether his decision will prove to be the correct one. At the time of his decision, Mercedes was experiencing their worst performance in a decade, while Ferrari was showing improvement. However, it appears that the Silver Arrows have now surpassed their competitors in terms of competitiveness.
Vasseur, the team principal, proudly mentioned to the Financial Times that the seven-time F1 champion has decided to join their project. He also hinted that Hamilton has agreed to spend three seasons at Ferrari, with only confirmation of a “multi-year” deal being made public at the time of the announcement in early February.
The Frenchman emphasized, “Lewis was an important symbol because it sends a positive message to the paddock for the future of the team. He had to make a choice, ‘Where do I have the biggest chance to win the world championship in 2025, ’26, ’27?’ And he said, ‘Ferrari’.”.
Vasseur believes that his team will benefit greatly from the addition of his new star driver, beyond just having a skilled racer. He further stated that Hamilton’s presence at Maranello will enhance the team’s ability to recruit top talent in various areas, which was previously challenging due to geographical limitations.
He elaborated, “Having Hamilton with us is also a key factor in attracting top professionals. While we have talented individuals at Ferrari, it is important to note that the majority of F1 technicians are based in the UK.”
Moving from Mercedes in Brackley to Red Bull in Milton Keynes allows for continuity with the children’s school and the same house. The transition can be seamless from Friday to Monday. However, relocating to Italy is a different scenario altogether. It involves uprooting the entire family – a significant life change. Lewis’ move will undoubtedly benefit us.
Vasseur has taken steps to improve the work environment at Maranello by eliminating the ‘blame culture’ that has negatively impacted the team’s performance. He emphasized the importance of taking risks in order to excel in our competitive industry, stating that pushing boundaries is key to success.
I am extremely satisfied with the progress we have made. At Ferrari, there is no need to fear the outcome of our actions. The team may have been apprehensive about external influences in the past. However, it is my responsibility to address this by encouraging them to be more assertive. I must also take responsibility for our mistakes when they occur.
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