The arrival of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari would have a significant impact on the Italian team both on and off the race track. Ferrari has high expectations for the seven-time world champion and believes his experience will be crucial for success under the new regulations. However, Team Principal Fred Vasseur emphasized that Hamilton’s arrival is not just about achieving the fastest lap.
Hamilton’s presence at Ferrari is expected to benefit the team as they aim to close the gap to Red Bull, rather than Mercedes. The Italian constructor seeks valuable feedback from its drivers to achieve monumental success. Vasseur stressed that Hamilton’s importance lies not only in his qualifying lap times, but also in the information and insights he can provide to the team throughout the race weekend.
In addition, the team’s preparation for the upcoming season, which began six to eight months ago, is of utmost importance. Hamilton’s experience and his suggestions to improve the team’s performance are crucial factors in this process. Therefore, the 39-year-old driver will play a significant role in Maranello.
Ferrari is undergoing a rebuilding phase under the leadership of Fred Vasseur. He highlighted that the team has a relatively young and inexperienced lineup, both in terms of team members and collective victories. Vasseur emphasized the importance of having enough time for discussions with Hamilton and adopting a long-term view.
Furthermore, Vasseur noted that Ferrari has already progressed since his arrival, especially by involving the drivers more in the project and adapting the car to their preferences. This approach was not initially implemented at Ferrari. Therefore, when Hamilton joins the team, they will be in an ideal state to accommodate him. Vasseur expressed confidence that the seven-time world champion will undoubtedly bring added value to the team.
Currently, Hamilton is facing challenges with the decline in performance of Mercedes. Only time will tell how his stint at Ferrari will unfold for the 39-year-old driver. There is a possibility that Ferrari could pose a strong challenge to Red Bull for the championship title next year, setting the stage for another intense rivalry between Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
