New Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari development in .... Ready more

New Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari development in Binotto signing admission

Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari has generated significant buzz in the Formula 1 world, particularly given the circumstances surrounding his departure from Mercedes. The decision comes after a historic tenure at Mercedes, where he secured six of his seven Drivers’ Championships during an extraordinary run that included eight consecutive Constructors’ titles from 2014 to 2021. As he prepares to embark on this new chapter in his career starting in F1 2025, the backdrop of team leadership changes at Ferrari plays a crucial role.

Mattia Binotto, who was Ferrari’s team principal until the end of 2022, has publicly stated that he would not have pursued Hamilton for a seat with the Scuderia had he remained in charge. Binotto, who now heads Audi’s F1 operations, emphasized his belief that the team’s focus should remain on nurturing Charles Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari since 2019 after rising through their driver academy. Binotto articulated that Leclerc should be the cornerstone of Ferrari’s aspirations for a championship challenge, suggesting that bringing in another established driver like Hamilton could complicate their strategy.

In a recent interview with Corriere della Sera, Binotto confirmed his stance, stating, “No. But he did very well to go to Ferrari, I agree with his decision.” This statement underscores the shift in team dynamics and vision at Ferrari, particularly under the leadership of Fred Vasseur, who succeeded Binotto. Vasseur has a history with Hamilton, having managed him during his junior racing days at ART, which likely influenced the decision to sign the British driver.

Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari was made official prior to the 2024 season, following his activation of an exit clause in his contract with Mercedes. The move is seen as a monumental change not only for Hamilton but also for Ferrari as they aim to revitalize their competitiveness in the sport. Vasseur’s willingness to embrace Hamilton reflects a different strategic outlook compared to Binotto’s tenure, where Leclerc was firmly positioned as the leading driver.

After announcing his decision, Hamilton recounted the emotional experience of revealing his move to team principal Toto Wolff over breakfast at Wolff’s home in Oxford. He described the moment as “terrifying,” illustrating the weight of