Lewis Hamilton opens up further on switching to Ferrari in F1 2025, still to visit Maranello plus relation with Frederic Vasseur and more.
Having signed up with Mercedes for two seasons, Hamilton has made a u-turn and joined Ferrari from F1 2025 onward in one of the most dramatic movements in recent history of the sport, surprising not just the public but his own team too.
He notes that the opportunity came and he took it readily at this juncture of his career and somewhat it was possible only because of Vasseur at the helm considering the relation he has had with him since his junior career when he drove for him.
He is yet to visit Maranello certainly and also learn the language, but both of which will happen eventually. For now, his goal is to finish off with Mercedes on a high note in F1 2024, trying to not only win races but see if they can beat Red Bull.
Signing with Mercedes, but switching to Ferrari –
Hamilton: “Obviously in the summer I signed, and obviously, at that time, I saw my future with Mercedes. But an opportunity came up at the end of the year, and I decided to take it. I feel like it was obviously the hardest decision I think I’ve ever had to make. I’ve been with Mercedes, I think it’s like 26 years they’ve supported me, and we’ve had an absolutely incredible journey together. We’ve created history within the sport, and it’s something I take a lot of pride in, and I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved. But I think ultimately, I’m writing my story. And I felt like it was time to start a new chapter.”
Childhood dream, Michael Schumacher influence –
Hamilton: “For every driver growing up, watching the history, watching Michael Schumacher in his prime, I think probably all of us sit in our garage and see the screen pop up and you see the driver in the red car and you wonder what it would be like to be surrounded by the red. You go to the Italian GP, and you see a sea of red Ferrari fans, and you can only stand in awe of that. It’s a team that’s not had like huge success, really, since mostly from Michael’s days, but since 2007. I saw it as a huge challenge. Without a doubt, even as a kid, I used to play in [computer game] GP2 as Michael in that car. as my foot in that car. It definitely is a dream, and I’m really, really excited about it.”
Not being to Maranello, learning Italian –
Hamilton: “I have not. I bought my first Ferrari in 2010 I think, as a present to myself. I don’t have it anymore. But I didn’t get to go during that time. Being with Mercedes I didn’t think it was a good look to go at the time. In all these years, I’ve not managed to learn any other languages. But of course, I will definitely try. I do remember when I was karting in Italy, and I was able to pick up a few lines. And so hopefully that will come back to me pretty quickly.”
Relation with Frederic Vasseur, move only possible because of him –
Hamilton: “I’ve got a great relationship with Fred. Obviously I raced with him in F3 and we had amazing success in F3, and also in GP2. That’s really where the foundation of our relationship started. We just always remained in touch. I thought that he was going to be an amazing team manager at some stage and progress to F1, but at the time, he wasn’t interested in that. It was really cool to see him step into the Alfa team. Then when he got the job at Ferrari, I was just so happy for him. I think just the stars aligned, I think it really wouldn’t have happened without him. So I’m really grateful and really excited about the work that he’s doing there.”
Finishing with Mercedes –
Hamilton: “Just to go back to the new chapter, this chapter is still not finished. I’m still 100% focused on delivering for this team this year, and trying to finish on a high. That’s a big, big goal for me, and the team, and I have absolute faith in everyone in the team. What we’ve done so far I think is great. So I really hope that we are somehow able to close the gap to the Red Bull.”
Here’s Toto Wolff on relation with Frederic Vasseur
Here’s Red Bull trio on Lewis Hamilton’s move
Here’s Fernando Alonso on Lewis Hamilton’s move
Here’s Alpine trio on Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton situation
Here’s Alexander Albon, Valtteri Bottas on Mercedes situation
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