Fred Vasseur issues hilarious response to former Ferrari boss

Fred Vasseur issues hilarious response to former Ferrari boss regarding Lewis Hamilton move after……..read more

Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s current team principal, recently responded with humor to comments made by his predecessor, Mattia Binotto, regarding Lewis Hamilton’s move to the Italian team. Binotto, who led Ferrari until 2022 and is now the head of Audi’s F1 project, expressed his admiration for Hamilton but also subtly implied that he would not have pursued the seven-time world champion for Ferrari. According to Binotto, while he respected Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari, he believed the team had already set its sights on other drivers, particularly Charles Leclerc, who he felt should be the focal point for Ferrari’s future ambitions.

Binotto’s comments, made in an interview with Corriere della Sera, were met with an amusing reply from Vasseur, who took over as Ferrari’s team principal in 2023. Vasseur, speaking to La Stampa, responded with a lighthearted remark about Hamilton potentially joining Sauber, the team which Audi now owns and which will be rebranded for the 2026 season. Vasseur jokingly suggested that Hamilton would not have considered joining Sauber even if Binotto had offered him a deal. “I’m not sure that Hamilton would have gone to Sauber,” Vasseur said with a laugh, adding that he appreciated how much time people seemed to have to comment on Ferrari’s decisions.

The Frenchman continued by stating that he was focused on his work at Ferrari, rather than responding to others’ views on team strategies. He humorously pointed out that during his time at Sauber, he never publicly analyzed Ferrari’s plans. His comment served as a subtle dig at Binotto, emphasizing the importance of concentrating on one’s own responsibilities in F1, rather than commenting on others’ decisions.

Vasseur’s remarks highlight a growing sense of confidence and leadership at Ferrari, as the team looks to the future with Hamilton, who will join them from the 2025 season on a multi-year contract. Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes after more than a decade with the team sent shockwaves through the F1 world. It’s seen as a bold move to fulfill his long-held dream of racing for Ferrari, a team he has admired since childhood.

While the announcement caused a stir, it has also sparked a range of responses, from fans to pundits. Vasseur’s lighthearted dismissal of Binotto’s comments reflects his focus on Ferrari’s internal direction and strategy, with eyes firmly set on their own plans rather than reflecting on past choices made by his predecessor. His response also underscores the shifting dynamics in Formula 1 as new leadership and team directions take shape heading into the 2025 season.