Ferrari’s team boss, Frederic Vasseur, may have wanted the headlines to be all about the 2024 car reveal, but instead it’s all about the seismic driver shifts for the 2025 season. In an admission that’s as candid as it is controversial, Vasseur detailed the challenging decisions at the heart of Ferrari’s future.
“It was not the easiest (phone) call of my life,” Vasseur confessed, regarding the moment he informed Carlos Sainz of his impending replacement by Lewis Hamilton. The difficulty of the decision was palpable, with Vasseur adding, “It was one of the most difficult,” a sentiment echoed in his subsequent call to Mercedes boss and long-time friend Toto Wolff.
The revelation that Lewis Hamilton will don Ferrari red post-2024 has sent shockwaves through the paddock, leaving Sainz, and indeed the F1 community, in a state of surprise. “From my side you can understand I got the news a bit earlier than everyone else and I had some weeks to reflect and prepare,” Sainz shared, hinting at the complexity of emotions involved in such high-stake transitions.
Despite the upheaval, Sainz’s outlook remains optimistic, with the driver seeing his tenure at Ferrari as a stepping stone to future opportunities, potentially with Audi or Mercedes. “I will need time to think about where to go,” he stated, underscoring his readiness to tackle the next chapter of his career.
The decision to replace Sainz with Hamilton has raised questions of fairness, given Sainz’s commendable performance at Ferrari. Vasseur, however, frames the move as strategic, emphasizing Hamilton’s unparalleled promise on the grid. “I don’t know if that (unfair) is the right word.Because for a team the option of Lewis is something you always have to consider,” he explained, making it clear that the decision wasn’t a reflection on Sainz’s abilities.
Charles Leclerc, set to be Hamilton’s teammate come 2025, dismissed speculations of discontent or surprise at the news, especially in light of his recent contract renewal. “It didn’t come as a surprise after signing,” Leclerc stated, maintaining respect for Sainz while staying tight-lipped about the team’s future dynamics.
Amid these revelations, Ferrari also pulled the wraps off their 2024 contender, a car that draws inspiration from Red Bull’s dominant design from the previous season. “Is it true that we were moving towards the Red Bull concept? Yes it is,” admitted Enrico Cardile, Ferrari’s technical boss. This strategic pivot aims to provide Leclerc and Sainz with a more competitive edge in the upcoming season, with Leclerc affirming, “This year it feels better,” after an initial-yet-brief test.
