Alesi: “Hamilton's decision at Ferrari was made months ago. It's the coup of the century” | FP

The coup du siècle

For Jean Alesi there is no doubt: the arrival of Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari in 2025as explained by the Frenchman to Nice Matin, represents “the coup of the century in Formula 1because having a seven-time world champion who, after a practically unique career with Mercedes, arrives at Ferrari is fantastic.”.

The secret of negotiations

The 59-year-old of Italian origins, Ferrari driver from 1991 to 1995 and current president of the Paul Ricard circuit, is still very close to the reality of the Prancing Horse today, as well as one of the drivers most loved by the fans despite his only victory achieved in Canada in his last year in Maranello. He himself praised the transfer operation finalized by Ferrari, especially due to the Scuderia's ability to keep the negotiations with the seven-time world champion under wraps.

“We knew there had been a lot of discussions behind the scenes since last year – he has declared – there were negotiations, I don't think the decision was made yesterday. It was taken a few months agoand it was a well kept secret, obviously, given the earthquake caused by the news on Thursday evening. Obviously Vasseur had an important role, and the decision was made carefully. Lewis won't go to Ferrari just to make up the numbers. He evaluated and studied everything. He knows Vasseur very well because he grew up in his teams (in Formula 3 and GP2). He believes in him and his project.”

Hamilton champion in Ferrari?

The news is therefore official, and now we will just have to wait for the Briton's arrival in a year. Will he be able, however, to aim for world championship victory in Ferrari too? An objective that Alain Prost, as Alesi's teammate, was unable to achieve, and which in more recent times also eluded Fernando Alonso, both world champions elsewhere before arriving in Maranello: “Prost was another era, and the same goes for Alonso – he added – there are new technical regulations on the horizon. Lewis has chosen a manufacturer that he believes can deal with this change in the best possible way. The stages were planned before him, as well as resources. He knows where he's going. So yes, I think I can do it. In any case, I dare to hope that he doesn't have the same unpleasant surprises that Alain or Fernando had in the past“.