Fred Vasseur made clear last Christmas that sorting out the future of Ferrari’s driver before the season opener was crucial. The announcement of the extension with Charles Leclerc put the first brick towards this plan, but Carlos Sainz’s situation evolved differently. The Scuderia suddenly put talks with the Spaniard on standby.
It was thought that the renewal would eventually arrive, but Ferrari management had other ideas. The Scuderia kept one of the biggest secrets in F1 before signing Lewis Hamilton to the team. Both Frederic Vasseur and Ferrari president John Elkann worked secretly on this agreement.
Yesterday evening, Hamilton’s incredible move from Mercedes to Ferrari is officially finalized.
The “dream” comes true: Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari from 2025
After seven world titles won together, one lost in controversial fashion in 2021, Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes. He departs from the Silver Arrows to fulfil the dream of joining Scuderia Ferrari.
What for years was a suggestion, never realised, this time becomes reality. From 2025, the Englishman will drive for the Scuderia di Maranello on a multi-year contract and will join Charles Leclerc at the helm of the team.
The Italian outfit is increasingly having the imprint of the new Team Principal, Frederic Vasseur.
The renewal signed during 2023 with the 1+1 formula has allowed Lewis Hamilton to keep doors open.
Frederic Vasseur has made it his priority to secure Charles Leclerc with a multi-year renewal and then make assessments on his teammate.
Negotiations with Carlos Sainz have come to a halt, and this is because the Frenchman, together with President John Elkann, have started working concretely on the creation of a “dream team”, exploring the option of bringing Lewis Hamilton to Maranello.
This idea gradually took shape and turned into a real negotiation which today sees its sensational closure with an official agreement signed between the parties to secure the Englishman’s arrival in 2025.
Authors: Paolo D’Alessandro & Giuliano Duchessa
