Ferrari Formula 1 boss Frederic Vasseur is adamant the team must “turn the page” once the initial eagerness surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s arrival for 2025 subsides.
The excitement has been growing towards Hamilton’s much-anticipated venture with Ferrari as the weeks count down until his maiden outing with the Italian marque.
Hamilton’s stint with Ferrari will witness the sport’s most decorated driver and team come together as he strives to end his illustrious career with a record eighth title.
But while he’s acknowledged the enthusiasm for the partnership, Vasseur has stressed that Hamilton can’t be a distraction from Ferrari’s preparations for the season.
“Everybody all over the world is excited and for sure, the mechanics are also excited, but because it’s always exciting to have someone who is a seven-times World Champion into the car,” Vasseur told Sky F1.
“But I think after the day one, we’ll have to turn this page and to be focused on the job.”
Vasseur demands ‘focused’ Hamilton
Vasseur, who oversaw Hamilton’s run to the GP2 title in 2006, has expressed the same sentiment towards Hamilton once he makes his debut appearance in a Ferrari.
The Briton is expected to be granted a run in a previous-spec Ferrari car at the team’s Fiorano test track before pre-season testing commences in Bahrain next month.
When it was put to him that it would be an emotional experience for Hamilton, Vasseur answered: “Yeah, it’s true that it’s quite emotional, because I think he has this moment in his mind for probably 20 years.”
But he then remarked: “It means that it will be emotional, but it has to be emotional for one lap! And then, [he has] to be focused.”
Ferrari experience unique to other teams
Vasseur has admitted that the prestige associated with representing Ferrari is unique, but he has highlighted that the desire to win is identical throughout the grid.
“You know that every single team is different for sure, but we are all chasing the same goal with the same approach,” he explained.
“What is a bit different is the passion or the emotion around the team, but I think Lewis is well prepared to manage this.
“I think it’s much easier to arrive somewhere when the passion is at the top than the opposite. I’m not worried at all.”
Hamilton will replace Williams-bound Carlos Sainz and partner incumbent Charles Leclerc, who has secured eight victories since making the step up to Ferrari in 2019.
With Leclerc, Hamilton will be bidding to help the Maranello-based squad go one better this season as it missed out on the Constructors’ title at the last round in 2024.
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