Why Ferrari team principal stayed cautious when addressing Lewis Hamilton questions last season

01/02/2025 04:10 PM

Lewis Hamilton's highly anticipated move to Scuderia Ferrari stands as one of the most compelling narratives heading into the 2025 Formula 1 campaign.

Chasing an unprecedented eighth Drivers' Championship, Hamilton will don Ferrari's iconic red as he joins Charles Leclerc in their collective mission to end the Scuderia's 17-year championship drought. The partnership is a bold and high-stakes gamble for both the legendary driver and the team, as they look to reclaim their place at the pinnacle of motorsport.

After enduring several seasons in an underperforming Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton now finds himself with a car that should provide a more consistent shot at victories. However, Ferrari is determined to avoid turning Hamilton's arrival into a media spectacle. The Italian side plans to conduct a private testing session to fine-tune the car and ensure Hamilton adapts seamlessly to his new environment. With the Australian Grand Prix kicking off the season in March, the Maranello team faces the critical task of ensuring the British driver is race-ready from the very first lap.

With McLaren showing impressive pace and Red Bull remaining a perennial threat, Ferrari knows it cannot afford a slow start. Significant preparation and relentless effort will be required to keep them competitive in what promises to be a fiercely contested season.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has his sights firmly set on the team’s overall performance rather than being drawn into the hype surrounding Lewis Hamilton. Having worked closely with the British driver during his pre-F1 career at ART in 2006, Frederic Vasseur shares a long-standing relationship with Lewis Hamilton—a factor that could prove advantageous as they collaborate under immense pressure.

Acknowledging the significance of Hamilton's Ferrari debut, Frederic Vasseur stressed that while emotions may run high initially, they must be swiftly replaced by focus and determination. Both driver and team are acutely aware of the monumental challenge ahead, and their shared history may provide the foundation needed to succeed.

In a discussion for The Race, journalist Ed Straw shed light on the French manager’s cautious approach to addressing Lewis Hamilton-related questions throughout 2024. The former Alfa Romeo team boss deliberately chose to keep the focus on Ferrari's ongoing progress rather than getting caught up in speculative narratives, highlighting his intent to maintain stability and forward momentum for the team as they prepared for this transformative chapter.

"Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur was particularly careful to shrug off questions about Hamilton during the season. "Always one to play his cards close to his chest, Vasseur's standard reaction was to talk about focusing on the now and Ferrari's campaign. With Hamilton's arrival imminent, Vasseur has revealed more about the approach the team will take." – the British journalist pointed out.

Could Ferrari Be the Team to Beat in the 2025 F1 Season?

Having closed out the previous season with the second-fastest car and a solid runner-up finish in the Constructors' Championship, Ferrari stands poised to aim for the one position that has eluded them—first place. As the 2025 Formula 1 season marks the final year under the current technical regulations, the stakes couldn't be higher for the Scuderia.

The competition will be fierce, with McLaren and Red Bull expected to lead the charge alongside a potentially resurgent Mercedes. The battle to unseat Max Verstappen, now a four-time world champion, promises to tighten the field and intensify rivalries on every front.

Adding to the intrigue is the Maranello team’s newest recruit, Lewis Hamilton. Rival team boss Christian Horner remarked that Hamilton appeared deflated during his recent struggles at Mercedes. A switch to Ferrari could reinvigorate the seven-time champion, potentially unlocking the fierce competitor who once dominated the sport. If Lewis Hamilton regains his peak form in a winning car, his rivals will undoubtedly face a formidable challenge. Those who have competed against him at his best know just how devastating his presence can be.

Ferrari's prospects rest on making substantial progress during the offseason. With a strong showing in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, the team could firmly establish itself as the favorite. However, translating potential into results will require precision, focus, and a car capable of taking on the grid's elite.

As the clock ticks down to the start of the season in Melbourne, all eyes will be on Ferrari. Can they deliver the consistency and performance needed to ascend to the top? Their rivals are prepared, but the Scuderia may have all the pieces in place to disrupt the status quo and reign supreme in Formula 1's most competitive era yet.

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