John Elkann, the chairman of Ferrari, has vehemently disputed comments made by former Ferrari F1 driver, Jacky Ickx, who seemingly reduced the recruitment of Lewis Hamilton to merely a marketing strategy.
Hamilton’s transition from Mercedes to the Maranello-based team is regarded as one of the most eagerly awaited moves in Formula 1 history. The seven-time world champion is set to replace Carlos Sainz and team up with Charles Leclerc as he steers towards a record eighth drivers’ title.
However, Ickx, the victor in six of his eight F1 races with Ferrari, expressed skepticism about the move. While conversing with Mundo Deportivo at the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia in January, Ickx praised Sainz’s performance at Ferrari before insinuating that Hamilton’s signing was primarily for publicity. He conjectured that Hamilton’s desire for a novel experience and the allure of having Ferrari as part of his career history were the underlying motives.
Elkann, identified as instrumental in bringing Hamilton to Ferrari, has strongly retaliated against Ickx’s remarks. During an extensive interview with Hamilton in TIME Magazine, Elkann expressed his disdain for the comments. He argued that neither Hamilton nor Ferrari need a marketing operation to validate their reputations. What truly matters, according to Elkann, is winning championships and achieving glory on the racetrack, which would naturally take care of their off-track prestige.
One aspect where Hamilton’s impact is eagerly anticipated is in enhancing Ferrari’s diversity, mirroring his early days with Mercedes. Hamilton’s efforts, including initiatives like Accelerate 25 and the work done by Mission 44, have significantly diversified Mercedes’ workforce, a feat he aims to replicate with the Scuderia.
On the topic of diversity, team principal Fred Vasseur emphasised the importance of performance. While supportive of diversity initiatives, Vasseur asserted his primary goal is to assemble the best team.
In summary, as Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari continues to generate anticipation and scrutiny, it’s clear that the team’s focus remains on performance and success, both on and off the track.