Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur ... Lewis Hamilton rather than Max...b

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur shares why he chased Lewis Hamilton rather than Max Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari is nearing, with only 10 races remaining before he officially leaves Mercedes to join the Italian team. In an unusual move, Ferrari announced Hamilton’s signing in February, just before the 2024 season began.

This was a significant feat, given the magnitude of the news, and it was only leaked by a British source moments before the official confirmation.

Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, revealed that the team was aware of the optional second year in Hamilton’s contract, which was signed in 2023. However, Hamilton was reportedly upset that Mercedes didn’t show more commitment, leading him to consider a departure.

Andrew Shovlin, a Mercedes strategist, believes that Hamilton would have stayed with the team if he was winning, but Max Verstappen’s dominance led him to explore other options.

Ferrari saw Hamilton as a definitive upgrade on Carlos Sainz, and he was one of only two drivers they considered for the role.

The other was Verstappen, who is on course to win his fourth consecutive title this year.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari marks a significant shift in the F1 landscape, with the most successful driver in the sport joining the most iconic team.

Mercedes has struggled to compete in F1’s ground effect era, and Hamilton’s departure is a significant blow.

However, the team has recently made a breakthrough, and it remains to be seen how they will perform in the remaining races.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is a testament to his desire to continue competing at the highest level, and it will be fascinating to see how he performs with his new team.