Lewis Hamilton to start his career with Ferrari "without making a show", team boss confirms
12/19/2024 11:53 AM
With Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari, the 2024 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent years. Frédéric Vasseur, the team principal of Ferrari, spoke about Hamilton's adaptation, the challenges ahead, and his relationship with teammate Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton's 2024: A Year of Ups and Downs
Hamilton will officially join Ferrari in early January when his contract with Mercedes expires. His 2024 season has been complex, marked by inconsistent performances. George Russell frequently beat him in qualifying and finished the season with a 22-point advantage.
However, Frederic Vasseur remained calm: “I was never worried about Lewis. He had difficult moments in qualifying, but he showed his worth in the last races in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi. The challenge of managing his final season at Mercedes certainly affected his performances,” said the French manager, as reported by BBC Sport.
Lewis Hamilton's Integration into Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton's integration into the Italian team will be a crucial challenge over the next few months. The British driver will test a 2023 Ferrari at one of the scheduled tests at Fiorano or Mugello, ahead of the season opener in Australia (Melbourne, March 14-16).
“It's not easy, but Hamilton brings extraordinary experience. He's not a rookie, and he'll know how to handle the change. With the simulator, he can prepare well for the car's particularities,” Fred Vasseur explained.
Lewis Hamilton is also expected to move to Italy, likely to Milan, to better integrate with the team and the Italian culture. Fred Vasseur humorously added, “The only advice I would give him is not to overdo the pasta, to avoid weight issues.” As expected, the French manager openly stated that the British driver would not receive a special presentation at Ferrari with elaborate press coverage, but would instead join the Italian side “without making a show.”
The Relationship Between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc
One of the main topics for the 2025 Formula 1 season will be managing the internal competition between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, both top-tier drivers. For Fred Vasseur, however, this dynamic is positive: “Charles and Lewis have great mutual respect. It's much better to fight for first and third than for 19th and 20th. The rivalry between them will drive both to improve the team's performance.”
Ferrari's 2025 Goals
After losing the constructors’ championship to McLaren by just 14 points, Ferrari aims to bounce back next season. “We've improved in many areas, but we need to work on the details. Every point will be crucial: we can't afford strategic mistakes or avoidable retirements,” said Fred Vasseur.
The new Ferrari car will be unveiled on January 19 in Maranello (details here), while the official pre-season tests will take place in Bahrain from February 26 to 28.
Hamilton and Ferrari: A Dream 20 Years in the Making
Frederic Vasseur revealed that Hamilton's dream of driving for Ferrari goes back over 20 years: “We were talking about it back in 2004. It wasn't hard to convince him: we've won more races than Mercedes, and our project excited him.”
With Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc behind the wheel, 2024 promises to be a pivotal year for Ferrari in the battle against Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren.
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