Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has explained the reasoning behind the team’s decision to reveal Lewis Hamilton as their 2025 driver before the 2024 Formula 1 season had even started. The move, involving seven-time World Champion Hamilton leaving Mercedes for Ferrari, was confirmed well in advance to maintain stability within both teams despite a full season remaining before the switch.
By making the announcement early, Hamilton spent the 2024 season at Mercedes aware that he would soon join Ferrari, while Carlos Sainz was also aware he would be replaced at Ferrari after 2024. Despite this, Sainz’s performance remained strong throughout the year, securing two race wins and helping Ferrari narrowly miss out on their first constructors’ title since 2008 by just 11 points.
Following this, Sainz was signed by Williams, where he will compete as Formula 1 enters a new era with updated regulations in 2025. Vasseur indicated that the early announcement was designed to avoid distractions when compared to Red Bull’s uncertainty about Max Verstappen’s 2025 plans, which has caused unrest at their team.
“Things like this can cause people in the team to lose focus,”
Vasseur told Auto Motor und Sport.
Look at Red Bull and what’s happened there in recent weeks. There were only rumours about Verstappen, and that’s one of McLaren’s strengths, they’ve managed to stay out of all these stories and controversies. That’s why I announced Lewis’ signing last year before the season started.
“If I had done that between Imola and Monte Carlo, many would have panicked. That way, Carlos was in the picture from the start and was able to digest the situation before everything started. His focus was on his job.”
Hamilton’s Challenging Debut Season at Ferrari
Despite the advanced notice of his move and the year to adapt to racing for the legendary Scuderia, Hamilton’s initial season with Ferrari in 2025 has been largely disappointing. He has not yet reached the podium, while his teammate has captured five podium finishes, reflecting a difficult transition for the British driver.
Currently standing sixth in the drivers‘ championship, Hamilton trails Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc by 46 points after sixteen race weekends. The gap highlights the challenges Hamilton faces in replicating his previous success, with his generally subdued mood and frustration becoming evident throughout the season.
With new technical regulations set to debut in 2026, both Hamilton and Vasseur share the hope that the driver can recover his winning form and that Ferrari will supply competitive machinery. Failing to do so could lead to criticism of the decision to bring Hamilton to the team under Vasseur’s leadership.
Strategic Considerations and Their Impact Within F1
Ferrari’s careful timing of the Hamilton announcement was intended to maintain focus and minimize disruption inside the team, contrasting with the turmoil seen at Red Bull due to uncertainties surrounding Verstappen’s future. Vasseur’s approach prioritized clear communication to help Sainz and the entire team concentrate solely on their performances during the 2024 campaign.
The strategy reflects a broader awareness within F1 of how driver moves and contract rumors can affect team morale and effectiveness. In this context, Ferrari’s proactive handling aimed to secure stability ahead of significant regulatory changes and the intense competition approaching in the sport’s new era.
