The seventh season of Drive to Survive offers an in-depth look at Lewis Hamilton’s transfer from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, one of the most sensational news stories in recent F1 history. Through interviews and exclusive footage, the series recounts the story from the perspective of various paddock figures, including Toto Wolff, Carlos Sainz, and young Kimi Antonelli. This chaos was orchestrated by Fred Vasseur, who had conceived this move long before February 2024.
Frederic Vasseur is the mastermind behind the 2024 silly season
Lewis Hamilton’s transfer had a domino effect on the entire driver market. Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, expressed surprise at the timing of the decision, calling it “strange” and unexpected. The series shows moments of tension and reflection between Hamilton and the team, including an embrace between the British driver and Toto Wolff immediately after the announcement. On the other hand, Carlos Sainz, dropped by Ferrari, faced difficult months as he was forced to find a new seat. The series follows his journey until his signing with Williams, documenting his emotions and discussions with his manager/cousin Carlos Oñoro. However, the transfer was not all smooth sailing; the Spaniard was also approached by Stake and Alpine, which, according to the series, attempted to lure him with an enticing offer pushed by Flavio Briatore.
Mercedes, meanwhile, opted for young Kimi Antonelli as Hamilton’s replacement. The documentary captures the moment the driver learns he has been chosen to partner with George Russell, marking the beginning of a new era for the Brackley-based team. This whole “show” was undoubtedly orchestrated by one person: Fred Vasseur. The Draveil-born team principal contacted Lewis Hamilton during the Monaco GP weekend in 2023, and at the Milan event, he stated: “On my birthday, we started talking about it. It was May 28, 2023, during the Monaco GP weekend. I immediately realized it could happen. I knew that for him, the dream of coming to Ferrari was there—it had always been there, in fact. With Carlos and Charles under contract for 2024, it was impossible to have him sooner.”
The series also highlights the major transformation F1 is undergoing with the arrival of many young talents. Finally, an intriguing scenario for the future emerges: Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Ferrari could battle for the title. All Tifosi hope this scenario becomes reality, but to find out, we’ll have to wait for the Australian GP in Melbourne.
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