Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur shares why he chased Lewis Hamilton rather than Max Verstappen

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Lewis Hamilton’s seismic move to Ferrari is edging ever closer. There are just 10 races remaining before he officially leaves Mercedes to join the Italian marquee.

Unusually, Ferrari announced the signing of Hamilton in February, around a month before the 2024 season began. Given that this is perhaps the biggest driver in F1 history, it was some feat from all sides to prevent leaks until the final moments.

Team principal Fred Vasseur says a British source leaked the Hamilton news just before they issued confirmation. With F1’s most successful driver joining its most iconic team, this was inevitable.

Ferrari were aware that the second year of the 39-year-old’s contract was optional. Though he signed a new deal in 2023, Hamilton was upset that Mercedes didn’t show more commitment.

Andrew Shovlin believes Hamilton would have stayed if he was winning, but Max Verstappen’s dominance made him consider a departure. While the Silver Arrows have now made a breakthrough, they’ve largely struggled to compete in F1’s ground effect era.

Hamilton is perhaps one of two drivers Ferrari would have seen as a definitive upgrade on Carlos Sainz. The other is Verstappen, who’s on course to win a fourth consecutive title this year.

Fred Vasseur gives four reasons for Ferrari pursuing Lewis Hamilton, not Max Verstappen

In an interview with Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, Vasseur was asked why he ‘took Hamilton and not Verstappen‘. The biggest issue is the Dutchman’s long-term deal.

Verstappen’s Red Bull contract runs until the end of 2028, but it does feature exit clauses. For instance, he can leave ahead of the 2026 regulation changes should he desire.

However, Vasseur also cited three separate incentives to sign Hamilton. The first of those is his ‘experience’ – he’s approaching 350 race starts.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

He also believes Hamilton will get on well with Charles Leclerc and bring the right atmosphere to the team. His ultimate goal is to win an unprecedented eighth world championship at Maranello.

“Beyond Max’s long contract with Red Bull, Lewis is ideal for Ferrari,” Vasseur said. “For his experience, for the relationship he has with Charles, for his calm.”

The clause that stopped Peter Bonnington following Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari

Vasseur would be ‘bigger than the Pope’ if he signed Verstappen, according to Dutch racing driver Tom Coronel. But there’s little indication that this is realistic.

Indeed, Eddie Jordan expects Verstappen to join Mercedes in 2026, replacing either George Russell or Kimi Antonelli. Hamilton’s partnership with Leclerc should last at least two years before both parties assess the situation.

The Englishman will link up with some familiar faces in Italy, including deputy team principal Jerome D’Ambrosio, who used to work under Toto Wolff. Top engineer Loic Serra has also joined from Mercedes.

But race engineer Peter Bonnington won’t follow Hamilton to Ferrari. This is partly because the 105-time race-winner has a ‘non-poaching’ clause in his deal – a smart move from Wolff as it turns out.