Frederic Vasseur told you MD last December that his “goal” was to renew Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc before the start of the 2024 season. However, a few weeks ago, the news of the century broke in F1: the signing of Lewis Hamilton by Ferrari for 2025 in place of Carlos Sainz, who will live out his last season in 2024 in the suit of red. .
The renewal of Carlos through Ferrari It is something taken for granted. The Spaniard was waiting for a proposal from the red team that finally did not come because of the conversation with Lewis. In all possible scenarios, only the signing of a 7-time world champion leaves Sainz at Ferrari. It’s also somewhat unlikely given the number of times Lewis has rejected Ferrari and his theoretical commitment to Mercedes. However, it happened. Carlos finds himself in the worst place and time for Lewis to finally say yes Ferrari.
Therefore, this Tuesday, when the Principal Team of Ferrari speaking to the media at the press conference to present the new SF24, MD took the opportunity to ask him about the injustice that this might imply for Carlos, after his performance shown at Ferrari and the work done at the factory, who has to find himself. in this situation.
“Unfair? I don’t know if this is the right word because for the team the option of Lewis is something you should always consider in any case. He is the most promising driver on the grid, the driver with the most experience and it’s very positive for us It has nothing to do with Carlos Carlos did a great job last year and I’m sure he will do the same this year (in 2024), he’s a very professional driver and we have a good personal relationship, but it is what it is, we have to “focus on the future”Vasseur said. He spoke about the future in relation to a Hamilton who will arrive at Ferrari at the age of 40 in January 2025.
The press conference began with a message from Vasseur in which he wanted to express his full confidence in Carlos Sainz and the work he will do this year even though he knows he will be packing his bags at the end of the season. Something he later repeated: “I am very convinced that he is a very professional driver, who understands that we have a long time ahead, which is a great opportunity.”
“I am very convinced that Carlos will be fully committed and committed to the season until the last lap and the last corner of the season. I am sure that the whole team will be fully motivated and will fully support Carlos, he has made a great job for us and he will do it.”
The call to Carlos: “The hardest of my life with Wolff”
Telling Sainz that the team decided to replace him “was not the easiest decision of my life,” he told Vasseur at the press conference, where MD was present. “One of the most difficult along with Toto’s (Wolff, head of Mercedes),” he said with a laugh.
“We had a long discussion, as you can imagine, but I am going to fully support Carlos, he is totally committed and we know that we have to do the work together. We are together, we are professionals,” he argued.
Furthermore, he wanted to make it clear that Hamilton’s arrival in 2025 should not be a distraction for 2024. “This is a great opportunity for the team. We are sure that it will give us a good step for the future . It’s a good challenge for everyone,” concluded about it.
This is how he signed Hamilton
Lewis will face the Ferrari team boss again in 2025, a driver he already managed at the ART team, where Lewis won the GP2 and Formula 3 Euroseries crowns. “We have a good relationship for more than 20 years. We were always in touch, we talked about different things and I think it came naturally. I don’t know what was decisive for Lewis and what wasn’t, but it was like that, step by step.”
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
