Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has openly stated that he would not have pursued Lewis Hamilton to join Ferrari, had he still been in charge. This comes in light of Ferrari’s shocking announcement that the seven-time world champion will race for the Scuderia starting in 2025. The deal sees Hamilton leaving behind his legendary tenure with Mercedes to partner with current Ferrari star Charles Leclerc.
While Hamilton’s decision to move to Ferrari has largely been credited to his longstanding relationship with Ferrari’s current team principal, Frederic Vasseur, Binotto believes that this move undermines the development and leadership potential of Leclerc. In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Binotto bluntly expressed his disapproval of the decision, explaining that Leclerc should be the focal point of Ferrari’s future.
“No, I would not have signed Hamilton,” Binotto said. “But he [Hamilton] made the right decision to go to Ferrari, I agree with his choice.”
Binotto, who led Ferrari from 2019 until 2022, had a significant role in shaping the team’s current structure, including signing Carlos Sainz, who will be departing Ferrari to join Williams as Hamilton takes his seat. Binotto believes that Leclerc, who has been a long-term investment for Ferrari, is the driver who should have been fully entrusted with leading Ferrari back to championship contention.
“Ferrari had focused on other drivers, and if the talent is Leclerc, I think he is the one who should be accompanied to the objective in some way,” Binotto added.
Vasseur Defends Hamilton Signing
Despite Binotto’s reservations, current Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur pushed for Hamilton’s signing, insisting that the team needed both top-tier drivers to maintain competitiveness. According to Vasseur, Leclerc’s acceptance of Hamilton as a teammate was key to making the move happen.
“Charles has always agreed, and this led me to push hard for it to happen,” Vasseur explained. “It is important to have a common vision. You cannot have drivers who are friends, but it is vital that they push in the same direction. It is important to have intelligent drivers.”
Leclerc Welcomes Hamilton Challenge
Leclerc, who has become Ferrari’s face since 2019, has publicly welcomed the challenge of having Hamilton as a teammate, noting that being paired with some of the best drivers in Formula 1 has only pushed him to improve.
“I’ve had very, very fast teammates who have pushed me forward, and with Lewis, I will learn a lot as well,” Leclerc told The Race. “Since I got into Formula 1, I have been very lucky. Instead of thinking that I wish I had a number two driver as a teammate, I have always thought it is so much better to have the best as your teammate.”
As Ferrari prepares for a new chapter in its storied history, the dynamic between Leclerc and Hamilton is expected to be a key storyline in the upcoming seasons. With Hamilton looking to secure his record-breaking eighth world championship and Leclerc eager to cement his legacy with the team that has nurtured his career, Ferrari will be at the center of intense competition—both within and beyond its garage.
