Fred Vasseur on Lewis Hamilton: “He’s had Ferrari in his mind for 20 years. We want to win the title with him”. Frederic Vasseur has clear ambitions for the future of Ferrari.

The Lewis Hamilton Effect
This weekend will mark the last Italian Grand Prix before Lewis Hamilton dons the red of Ferrari and becomes a favorite of the fans starting with the 2025 Formula 1 championship. This year, the seven-time British champion will certainly be received differently than in the past, but at least for this Sunday, he will still be a rival. There will be time to get to know each other, to fall in love, and to build something significant. For team principal Frederic Vasseur, that means only one thing: winning the World Championship.

Fred Vasseur’s comments
“Lewis Hamilton will bring his qualities, his record, his experience. He will also help stabilize the team a bit and contribute to its evolution. It won’t be a revolution; a small step is needed, not a complete overhaul,” the Frenchman said in a recent interview for Italian daily newspaper La Stampa. “It’s not just about speed or the ability to fine-tune the car; Lewis will push the team with his attention to detail. And when there’s a change, everyone gives more. Convincing him wasn’t difficult; he has always been deeply attracted to the brand and the history behind it. I think the progress we’ve made in terms of performance, approach, and structure also weighed in.” – the Ferrari team principal pointed out.

“When did we first discuss it? To be honest, in 2004 or 2005: Ferrari was already in his mind in some way. Our project with him is to win the World Championship. Bono? We are strengthening the group, but that has nothing to do with Lewis or his team. It would be a mistake to try to recreate Mercedes within Ferrari.” – the former Alfa Romeo team boss explained, as reported by the Italian media.

Frederic Vasseur does not want to downplay Charles Leclerc, and he is confident that the Monegasque driver can learn a lot alongside the seven-time Formula 1 champion: “Charles knows that it will do him good too. He can absorb like a sponge, I’m not saying copy because he doesn’t need to copy anyone. He will be able to have a different perspective, not necessarily better, but different, on certain details. Lewis is the benchmark, but Charles has always been the most talented driver to me, the one who takes the blame quickly—sometimes that helps him, and sometimes it doesn’t. He needs to take a step forward in self-confidence, and he will do that alongside Hamilton.” – Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur concluded.