F1 | Hamilton: “Vasseur is also at Ferrari, it's a great challenge”

Lewis Hamilton's arrival at Ferrari is undoubtedly one of the pieces of news that hit the front pages of the newspapers, with a global reach, also because it came at an almost unexpected time given the renewal signed last August.

Until this moment, the Briton had not spoken openly about the topic, except on social media and in some short statements, given that at the presentation of the W15 the only interviews were given directly by the team.

However, in the test press conference Hamilton opened up and told his version, as well as the reasons that pushed him to accept the Ferrari challenge and embark on a new adventure. The seven-time world champion explained that the presence of Team Principal Frederic Vasseur, who arrived at Ferrari last year, was fundamental to his move to Ferrari.

In fact, Hamilton has already had the opportunity to work with Vasseur in the preparatory categories, precisely in the teams managed by the Frenchman. In 2005 the Briton drove for the French ASM F3 team, winning the European title. The following year he moved up to GP2 with Vasseur's ART GP, winning the championship again, before moving to F1 with McLaren.

“I have a very good relationship with Fred,” Hamilton said when Motorsport.com asked him if Vasseur was the only person who could convince him to go to Ferrari.

“Obviously I raced with him in GP2 and we had incredible success in F3 and also in GP2. That's where the foundations of our relationship began. And we always stayed in touch. I thought at some point it would become a fantastic team manager and would have moved to F1, but wasn't interested at the time. It was really nice to see him join the Alfa team. Then, when he got the Ferrari job, I was delighted for him.

“I think the stars aligned and it wouldn't have happened without him. So I'm really grateful to him. And I'm really excited about the work that he's doing.”

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Hamilton stressed that when he re-signed for Mercedes in August, he still fully intended to stay with the team for another two years. However, over the course of the winter he changed his mind. “Obviously in the summer I signed and, obviously, at that moment I saw my future with Mercedes. But at the end of the year an opportunity presented itself and I decided to take it.”

“I think it was the hardest decision I've ever had to make. I've been with Mercedes for 26 years, I think they've supported me, and we've had an incredible journey together. We've created a history within the sport and it's something that I'm very proud of and I'm very proud of what we've achieved. But I think, ultimately, I'm writing my own story. And I felt it was time to start a new chapter.”

Shortly after the news was announced, Hamilton wrote on social media that his “childhood dream” was to one day drive for Ferrari, recalling the exploits of other past greats. The Red always has its charm and, although the Briton grew up in the myth of Senna, Hamilton also lived through the Schumacher era.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

“Of course, I think for every driver growing up, watching history, watching Michael Schumacher in his heyday, I think we probably all sit in our garage and see the screen and the driver in the red car and wonder what it would be like be surrounded by red. If you go to the Italian GP and see a sea of ​​red Ferrari fans, you can't help but be amazed. It's a team that has never had great success, especially since Michael's time, but since 2007”.

“And I saw it as a big challenge. And without a doubt, even as a kid, I was playing GP2 as Michael and my foot in that car. It's definitely a dream and I'm really excited.”

Hamilton also confirmed that he has never been to Ferrari's headquarters in Maranello so far, even though he has bought Prancing Horse cars in the past: “I've never been there. I bought my first Ferrari in 2010, I think, as a gift to myself same. I no longer have it. But I didn't have the opportunity to go there in that period. Being with Mercedes, it didn't seem appropriate to go.”