F1 News: Ferrari Chief Wants "No Distractions" From Lewis Hamilton Recruitment
Amidst the excitement of Lewis Hamilton joining in 2025 and the unveiling of the SF-24, Ferrari's team principal, Frederic Vasseur, underscored the necessity of maintaining focus on the 2024 season without distractions from the high-profile recruitment.
Key Takeaways:
- Ferrari has confirmed Lewis Hamilton will join the team in 2025.
- Team principal Frederic Vasseur highlights the importance of staying focused on the 2024 season, despite the excitement surrounding Hamilton's future involvement.
- Vasseur expresses confidence in Carlos Sainz's commitment for his remaining time with Ferrari.
During the SF-24's unveiling, which marks a new chapter for Ferrari with drivers Charles Leclerc and the departing Carlos Sainz, the spotlight inevitably turned to Hamilton. Vasseur, addressing the media, acknowledged the significance of Hamilton's acquisition, describing it as a "huge opportunity" for the team's future.
Yet, the emphasis quickly shifted back to the immediate future. Vasseur articulated a clear vision for Ferrari, focusing squarely on the challenges and goals of the 2024 season. He conveyed a message of discipline and dedication, stressing the importance of not letting the buzz around Hamilton's joining detract from the team's current objectives.
Vasseur also dispelled any concerns regarding Carlos Sainz's motivation in his final year with the team. He assured that Sainz, along with the rest of the team, would remain fully engaged and motivated throughout the season. This commitment to focus and unity was a recurring theme in Vasseur's comments, as he reiterated the team's dedication to their immediate goals, despite the exciting future prospects.
He explained, as quoted by GP Blog:
"It's a huge opportunity for the team, for sure.
"We are sure that, yeah, Lewis [Hamilton] will bring us a decent step for the future and it will be a good challenge for everybody. But we want to be focused on 2024."
Vasseur continued:
"We don't want to have any kind of distraction. And it's also why we made the announcement so early that because it was important for us all over the season to be focused on 2024. I'm fully convinced that Carlos [Sainz] will be fully dedicated and fully committed to the season until the last lap and the last corner of the season. And equally that, I'm sure that all the team will be fully motivated and fully behind Carlos.
"That is a great job for us so far, now that it's important for us to be again to be focused on 2024, we have a good opportunity. We work so hard on the project that I don't want again to have any kind of distraction. I won't make any further comment on this that. Don't try to ask questions. I know all of you and let's start now."