Ferrari boss talked to Lewis Hamilton at every race before pushing for blockbuster move
Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur have an extremely close relationship, and that may have lured the seven-time world champion to the Ferrari camp.
Fred Vasseur has previously explained that he speaks to Lewis Hamilton ‘at every Grand Prix’. The pair have an extremely close relationship after Hamilton drove for his teams during his junior career, and they may now be reunited with the seven-time world champion reportedly gearing up for a sensational move from Mercedes to Ferrari.
Hamilton committed to a new contract with Mercedes part way through the 2023 season following speculation linking him to a sensational late-career switch to Ferrari, but his stay with the Silver Arrows may still be cut short with the legendary Brit said to be open to joining the Scuderia for the 2025 season.
The 39-year-old’s new deal saw him pen a two-year contract, but fresh reports are suggesting that it is structured around a one-year extension with the option of an additional year. This would leave Hamilton free to negotiate with Ferrari regarding a contract for the 2025 season.
This move would be a sensational one with the Mercedes star reuniting with former team boss Vasseur. The Frenchman oversaw Hamilton’s title-winning GP2 campaign with the pair working together at ART Grand Prix, before acting as a mentor figure to the young Brit during his debut F1 campaign with McLaren.
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Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport about his relationship with Hamilton, Vasseur explained: "I talk to him at every GP, he raced for me 20 years ago and we are still close. I helped him when he went to McLaren at the beginning of his F1 career and we talk from time to time.
“Clearly if we are seen together in the paddock a fuss comes out, but the relationship has remained. I don't want to compare him to our drivers, it would not make sense. But the contribution of a top driver is not only driving.
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“It's also technical, strategy, help in hiring an engineer. And in this case, if you have Hamilton, Verstappen but also Leclerc it's easier. People who work in F1 are passionate about racing, they like to work with champions."
If Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari is confirmed, the 39-year-old will join the team at the end of the 2024 campaign, leaving Mercedes in need of a new partner for George Russell and Carlos Sainz without a guaranteed spot on the grid for the 2025 season.