Vasseur excited to use "machine" Hamilton and exploit his "main difference"
F1 News
Fred Vasseur has highlighted the "main difference" between Lewis Hamilton and the rest of the Formula 1 grid ahead of the seven-time World Champion's impending arrival at Ferrari. The Brit, who will turn 40 during the winter break, will start a new chapter next season.
Hamilton's move to Ferrari created shockwaves in Formula 1. They announced their partnership before the 2024 season even started. The move is slowly becoming a reality as Hamilton has just six Grand Prix weekends remaining with Mercedes. He has been with the German team since the 2013 season and achieved the bulk of his success with them.
What is the difference between Hamilton and other F1 drivers?
Hamilton has managed to have a highly successful career, with more wins, pole positions and podiums to his name than any other driver. He is keen to add more to the list, including a record-breaking 8th World Championship title. Vasseur is trying to turn Ferrari into a successful team and would've had no shortage of options in the driver market, including keeping Carlos Sainz who is a proven Ferrari race winner himself. But he knows he has something unique with Hamilton.
“Lewis is a machine. The main difference between Lewis and the majority of the grid — and I don’t want to make a personal comparison — is that he is organised like a company. In his mind, in his approach, he knows what he wants to do, when he wants to do it. He’s able to separate every single pillar of the activity and for us, for Ferrari, it will be helpful," Vasseur told The Times.
“Internally, it won’t change life except that Lewis is coming with his own experience, his own maturity and it will help the team to do a better job because he’s very exigent. We are experienced enough to separate these two worlds [between his racing career and external commitments]," Vasseur added before reiterating that he knew Hamilton before he became a champion which allowed the two to "build up a different relationship" which the Frenchman believes will be "helpful" for himself and Ferrari.
Before then Hamilton will be looking to close out his career at Mercedes on a high, starting with this weekend's United States Grand Prix in Austin. His current team boss, Toto Wolff, expressed his eagerness to give Hamilton the best possible farewell.
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!