Lewis Hamilton, now a Ferrari driver, appeared destined to finish his illustrious profession with Mercedes when, in September 2023, a multi-year contract renewal with the Brackley staff was introduced. Nevertheless, only a few months later, the Method 1 world was shaken by a bombshell: the seven-time world champion would depart Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025.
The Italian staff took benefit of an exit clause in Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes contract to persuade the Briton to affix Maranello. A transfer that stunned many, however in actuality, its roots stretched again to the earlier season.
Vasseur: “First contact with Hamilton in Monaco 2023”
Rumors of Hamilton presumably becoming a member of Ferrari had been circulating for a while, however his success with Mercedes made the dream appear unattainable. Nevertheless, as Mercedes confirmed indicators of declining competitiveness, Ferrari had an open seat for 2025.
Frédéric Vasseur has now revealed the way it all started through the 2023 Monaco GP: “We began speaking on the Monaco GP in 2023, on Could 28, my birthday. I instantly realized it may occur.”
Fred Vasseur then defined that Hamilton’s want to race for Ferrari had at all times been there: “I knew he wished it; it had at all times been there, actually. It wasn’t potential for 2024 as a result of we had each our drivers beneath contract.”
The Ferrari staff principal continued, explaining how the fitting situations for the transfer got here collectively:
“Lewis has at all times had Ferrari in his coronary heart, and I felt the planets had been aligning. For me, having Lewis with Charles was a key piece in our undertaking.”
The decision that modified all the things
Till Fred Vasseur’s cellphone name, Lewis Hamilton was satisfied he would by no means have the possibility to drive for Ferrari. The British driver himself admitted how shocked he was when he acquired the provide: “To be trustworthy, I had accepted the truth that I might most likely by no means drive for Ferrari.”
However the name he acquired within the winter of 2023 modified all the things: “I bear in mind hanging up the cellphone and virtually shaking. I assumed, ‘Oh God!’” Lewis Hamilton recalled the combo of feelings he felt at that second: “I used to be like, ‘Holy hell! I had simply signed with Mercedes.’”
After the preliminary shock, he realized the fitting alternative was in entrance of him: “It was lots to course of; my feelings had been all over. So, I made a decision to go for a stroll. My thoughts felt calm and current. That is the fitting factor for me.”
Lewis Hamilton will be a part of Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, forming some of the anticipated driver pairings of the 2025 Method 1 season. With the ambition of bringing the title again to Maranello, the Briton is chasing one last nice problem in his profession.
Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari was not only a media bombshell however the results of negotiations that began a lot sooner than anybody thought. With the driving force’s want and Fred Vasseur’s curiosity, the planets lastly aligned.
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