Lewis Hamilton, now a Ferrari driver, seemed destined to end his illustrious career with Mercedes when, in September 2023, a multi-year contract renewal with the Brackley team was announced. However, just a few months later, the Formula 1 world was shaken by a bombshell: the seven-time world champion would leave Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025.
The Italian team took advantage of an exit clause in Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes contract to convince the Briton to join Maranello. A move that surprised many, but in reality, its roots stretched back to the previous season.
Vasseur: “First contact with Hamilton in Monaco 2023”
Rumors of Hamilton possibly joining Ferrari had been circulating for some time, but his success with Mercedes made the dream seem unattainable. However, as Mercedes showed signs of declining competitiveness, Ferrari had an open seat for 2025.
Frédéric Vasseur has now revealed how it all began during the 2023 Monaco GP: “We started talking at the Monaco GP in 2023, on May 28, my birthday. I immediately realized it could happen.”
Fred Vasseur then explained that Hamilton’s desire to race for Ferrari had always been there: “I knew he wanted it; it had always been there, really. It wasn’t possible for 2024 because we had both our drivers under contract.”
The Ferrari team principal continued, explaining how the right conditions for the move came together:
“Lewis has always had Ferrari in his heart, and I felt the planets were aligning. For me, having Lewis with Charles was a key piece in our project.”
The call that changed everything
Until Fred Vasseur’s phone call, Lewis Hamilton was convinced he would never have the chance to drive for Ferrari. The British driver himself admitted how shocked he was when he received the offer: “To be honest, I had accepted the fact that I would probably never drive for Ferrari.”
But the call he received in the winter of 2023 changed everything: “I remember hanging up the phone and almost shaking. I thought, ‘Oh God!’” Lewis Hamilton recalled the mix of emotions he felt at that moment: “I was like, ‘Holy hell! I had just signed with Mercedes.’”
After the initial shock, he realized the right choice was in front of him: “It was a lot to process; my emotions were all over the place. So, I decided to go for a walk. My mind felt calm and present. This is the right thing for me.”
Lewis Hamilton will join Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, forming one of the most anticipated driver pairings of the 2025 Formula 1 season. With the ambition of bringing the title back to Maranello, the Briton is chasing one final great challenge in his career.
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was not just a media bombshell but the result of negotiations that started much earlier than anyone thought. With the driver’s desire and Fred Vasseur’s interest, the planets finally aligned.
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