Vasseur explains the importance of Hamilton's transfer: 'He's a symbol'
Ferrari signing Lewis Hamilton back during the world took the world of Formula One by storm. Talking to Financial Times, team principal Frederic Vasseur explained what could the seven-time world champion bring to the Italians.
According to the team principal, a high-profile driver like Hamilton could also help the team recruit for the future. "Lewis was an important symbol because it sends a positive message to the paddock."
Following Hamilton's win at Silverstone, and Mercedes' recent improvements, many began to now doubt the Briton's choice. While Ferrari seem to struggle at the moment, Vasseur calmed these noises down. "He had to make a choice: ‘Where do I have the biggest chance to win the world championship in 2025, '26, '27? And he said, 'Ferrari'," the Frenchman explained the Brit's choice.
What can Hamilton bring to Ferrari?
The pair of Vasseur and Hamilton previously worked together during the Briton's career. After winning back-to-back championships, including a GP2 title in 2006, now the team principal wants to take advantage of the transfer that took the world of F1 by shock. "[It is] also the best way to attract good people. We have good people at Ferrari, but I want to reinforce."
Ferrari could be seen as an isolated team in the sport. For the Maranello-based team, it would be impossible to move to the United Kingdom, where foreign teams such as Red Bull (Austrian in Milton Keynes) and Mercedes (German in Brackley) do have headquarters for their F1 teams. Working from abroad for Ferrari also has a proven track record in a negative way - a master designed in the '80s and '90s, John Barnard, could not deliver the results the Italians hoped for.
"Coming to Italy, it’s a different story. You have to move the family; it’s a change of life. The move of Lewis will help us," Vassuer explained.
Ferrari will also have to recruit now that an important figure on the technical team, Enrico Cardile has also left on Monday officially. In an exclusive, GPblog have also published that the Italian will join Aston Martin. That became official on Tuesday, the British constructor confirmed.