Two weeks ago the seven-time world champion shocked Mercedes, with whom he has driven since 2013 and won six titles, by announcing he would be joining Ferrari in 2025. The pair have maintained their friendship ever since and Vasseur indicated this had played its part in bringing Hamilton to Ferrari. “We have had a good relationship now for more than 20 years,” he said. “Regarding Lewis, it’s a huge opportunity for the team,” he said. Hamilton will be joining Charles Leclerc at Ferrari next year and the Monegasque driver, who signed a new deal with Ferrari shortly before the Hamilton announcement, said he had known the team were attempting to bring the British driver on board.

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