This is the transfer of the century.
The one we're going to talk about all season even though it won't arrive until 2025. The arrival of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari has already caused a lot of ink to flow and will continue to do so all season.
This Tuesday was the first time that the entire Ferrari team reacted publicly to the signing of the seven-time world champion British driver.
First concerned, because he will lose his seat at the end of the season, Carlos Sainz admitted to having been “a little surprised” by this shock transfer.
“I learned the news a little earlier than the others (…) it gave me a little time to digest, draw my own conclusions and focus on the 2024 season,” admitted the Spaniard.
Leclerc knew for a long time
Pushed out the door, the only Grand Prix winner at Ferrari in 2023 did not lack results, as his boss Frédéric Vasseur recalled.
This choice "has nothing to do" with Sainz's performances, Vasseur defended, "but we must take into account the fact that he (Hamilton) has the greatest track record on the grid, he is the one who has the most of experience and that this is a huge opportunity for us.”
“We are sure that this will allow us to take a good step for the future, it will be a good challenge for everyone,” he added.
As for Charles Leclerc, the other Ferrari driver, the Monegasque explained that he had learned that he would team up with Hamilton next year before the extension of his contract "for several years" announced at the end of January.
“This kind of agreement is not finalized overnight,” recalled the 2022 world vice-champion, engaged since 2019 with the Scuderia.
At 26, the pilot now intends to benefit from “the great experience” of his elder brother.
Also read “All great champions end up at Ferrari”: Hamilton in red, the story of the marriage of the century
This Tuesday, the team presented its new F-24 for the season which will begin on March 2 in Bahrain.
With a more typical Red Bull style but in continuity with 2023, the Scuderia did not go into detail with a video of only one minute.
With perhaps a few secrets to discover during winter testing on February 21?