Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur has dismissed Mattia Binotto’s claim that signing Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 Formula 1 season was a mistake, defending his decision as key to Ferrari’s pursuit of championship glory.
Binotto’s Criticism
Binotto, Vasseur’s predecessor at Ferrari and now leading Sauber’s transition to Audi, told Italian media that he would not have brought the seven-time world champion to Maranello.
“I wouldn’t have taken him,” Binotto remarked to Corriere della Sera, adding, “Ferrari should have focused on [Charles] Leclerc and nurtured his talent toward the target.”
Binotto also suggested that Hamilton made the right choice to leave Mercedes but implied Ferrari’s decision to drop Carlos Sainz in favor of Hamilton was ill-advised.
Vasseur’s Response
Vasseur hit back at Binotto, taking a subtle jab at the former Ferrari boss while emphasizing the strategic importance of Hamilton’s arrival.
“I’m not sure Hamilton would have gone to Sauber!” Vasseur quipped in an interview with La Stampa. “I am happy that so many people have time to comment on our choices. I am focused on our work. After all, when I was at Sauber, I didn’t talk about Ferrari.”
Vasseur, who has known Hamilton since his early racing days in GP2, believes Hamilton’s expertise and drive will help Ferrari bridge the narrow margins in its bid to end a title drought that dates back to 2008.
“He is in a complicated situation at the end of a long partnership,” Vasseur explained, referring to Hamilton’s turbulent final season with Mercedes. “There is also some frustration, but I know what he can bring to a team.”
Hamilton’s Perspective
After wrapping up his Mercedes tenure with a strong fourth-place finish in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton spoke optimistically about his Ferrari move, calling it a “new chapter” and acknowledging the work ahead.
“I didn’t want to make my [Mercedes] team feel bad, so I avoided going into the red zone,” Hamilton said, referring to Ferrari’s hospitality area. “Very soon, I will start working with them. They did a fantastic job at the end of the season, and Carlos [Sainz] delivered today. I really hope I can contribute to their success.”
The Bigger Picture
Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari marks one of the most significant moves in recent F1 history, uniting the sport’s most successful driver with its most iconic team. While Binotto’s comments reflect skepticism, Vasseur’s confidence in Hamilton’s ability to elevate Ferrari underscores the high stakes for both parties heading into 2025.
As the Scuderia seeks to reclaim its position at the top of F1, Hamilton’s partnership with Charles Leclerc is poised to become one of the most scrutinized and exciting dynamics on the grid. Whether it leads to a long-awaited championship remains to be seen, but the battle lines—and rivalries—are already being drawn.
