© Sebastian Kawka for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix ltd.
Sky Sports’ Craig Slater reports Ferrari’s “courtship” of Lewis Hamilton “has been going on for some months”, with Ferrari’s chairman John Elkann being the “driving force” behind it.
The Formula 1 world is still in shock over the news that Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of 2024, and join Ferrari in 2025.
However, Sky Sports’ Craig Slater reports Hamilton’s decision was not as sudden as it might appear at first glance.
“My understanding is that this courtship [between Ferrari and Hamilton] has been going on for some months,” Slater said.
“It’s not a sudden thing. John Elkann, the president and a very heavy-hitter, is very much at the centre of it and the driving force.
“Team principal Fred Vasseur is someone Lewis knows from the junior days so there’s no friction there.
“It’s not like the chairman has signed someone over the manager’s back, that you sometimes get in football! This isn’t like that.”
Slater also says he is not surprised by Hamilton’s willingness to commit to such a big change.
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“This is typical of Lewis Hamilton, I have to say. Never been afraid of a challenge. He comes into F1 with Fernando Alonso as his teammate and gets a result against him.
“He changes teams to an upstart team who hadn’t done very much, Mercedes, and goes up against Nico Rosberg, a fine operator, and gets the better of him.
“Happy to take on George Russell, one of the best of the young prospects in F1. And now this! Joining Ferrari where Leclerc is ensconced there.
“Clearly, Ferrari identified him as their priority, and that’s why they signed him up rather than Carlos Sainz.
“So Lewis? This is a big challenge for him. He will be 40, going up against one of the quickest young drivers in the world.
“It would be a great scalp for Leclerc to take, if he could out-score him over a year,” Slater concluded.
