‘Born racer’ faces uncertain Ferrari F1 future after Lewis Hamilton signing

Follow us on Google Discover

Paul di Resta questions if Frederic Vasseur is ‘the right man’ to lead Ferrari after the Scuderia signed Lewis Hamilton to partner Charles Leclerc for the 2025 F1 season.

The Maranello natives have moved to poach Hamilton from Mercedes after deciding against awarding Carlos Sainz a new contract. Ferrari were in talks with the 29-year-old about a new deal to continue beside Leclerc. But Hamilton took up a release clause in his deal in Brackley.

Hamilton will now join the Italian powerhouse after the 2024 Formula 1 season with a multi-year contract. But the Scuderia signing a driver of the seven-time champion’s ability to share a garage with Leclerc leaves Di Resta questioning if Vasseur is a strong enough personality.

Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes for Ferrari after the 2024 Formula 1 season

Ferrari named Vasseur as their team principal in December 2022 as Mattia Binotto resigned the previous month. Vasseur joined the Scuderia after six years at Sauber, where he worked as their CEO of Motorsport and acted as their F1 team principal whilst racing as Alfa Romeo.

Sauber took the Swiss squad’s best finish in a decade under Vasseur’s watch in 2022 with sixth place in the F1 constructors’ championship. Ferrari took second under Binotto in 2022 but fell to third in 2023. The Maranello natives further scored 148 power points last season.

Vasseur likely played a vital role in convincing Hamilton to leave Mercedes for Ferrari. He led the ART Grand Prix team with whom the 39-year-old got the 2005 Formula 3 Euro and 2006 GP2 Series titles. The Frenchman has also remained close to Hamilton during the time since.

Paul di Resta questions if Ferrari need a ‘stronger personality’ than Frederic Vasseur

But Di Resta – who also did the 2005 Formula 3 European Series at ART – now questions if Vasseur is a strong enough personality to lead Ferrari in F1 with both, Hamilton and Leclerc.

“I think Fred Vasseur is obviously a born race,” Di Resta has told Sport.de. “I raced with Fred, like Lewis did, years ago. You know how he comes into it. Is he the right man? Time will tell.

“Do they need a stronger personality? That’s what we’ll be looking back in 10 years’ time and saying, ‘Well, was that the right thing?’ But Lewis has obviously been convinced. He’s obviously been given security. He’s obviously been given something that’s driven him.”

Despite Di Resta’s suggestion, Hamilton likely got assurances from Ferrari president John Elkann about Vasseur’s position before agreeing to leave Mercedes. He will have wanted the Scuderia chief to ensure they have a long-term plan to leave the Silver Arrows after 11 years.