Italian journalist believes “Ferrari hasn’t felt like this since the Mansell-Prost days in 1990”. Leo Turrini discussed Lewis Hamilton's arrival in Italy.

The 2024 Formula 1 season concluded just a few weeks ago, and the pinnacle of motorsport is already looking ahead to the next championship. The post-season tests in Abu Dhabi provided a glimpse of what’s to come. Specifically, attention during the sessions was focused on drivers debuting with their new teams: Carlos Sainz at Williams, Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber, and Esteban Ocon at Haas. Ferrari, meanwhile, entrusted its two cars to Charles Leclerc (for tire testing) and reserve drivers Arthur Leclerc and Antonio Fuoco, who deepened their familiarity with the car after months of simulator work.

Lewis Hamilton absent… but present
Notably absent was Lewis Hamilton, who did not participate in the tests with Mercedes, his former team, nor with Ferrari, his new team. As is well known, he could not begin work with Ferrari before the expiration of his contract with Mercedes on December 31. Thus, his debut with the Scuderia will only occur in 2025, when he officially becomes a Ferrari driver. Yet, even without wearing red just yet, Lewis is already the focal point of discussions within his new team. This was evident from recent months and during Ferrari’s Christmas luncheon, where the British driver was the subject of many questions posed by members of the motorsport media to team principal Frederic Vasseur. Leo Turrini also discussed Lewis Hamilton’s arrival in Italy on his blog “Profondo Rosso.”

Lewis Hamilton – Charles Leclerc, a return to the past…
The renowned journalist reported that the atmosphere in Maranello awaiting the former Mercedes driver is highly charged, evoking memories of times gone by. Additionally, he acknowledged that Lewis Hamilton’s arrival, and the resulting sacrifice of Carlos Sainz, was a deliberate choice recently defended by Fred Vasseur.

“Hamilton-Leclerc. Strictly in alphabetical order. […] As you can imagine, even these days, around here in Maranello and its surroundings, nothing else is being talked about. And now that Vasseur, radiating bonhomie from every claw, has defended the decision to sacrifice Sainz on the altar of Lewis, yes, everyone is wondering how things will work between the two. […] At a glance, it hasn’t felt like this since the Mansell-Prost days in 1990.”