P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari Formula 1 boss Fred Vasseur says calling Carlos Sainz to inform him that he would be replaced by Lewis
Shortly after Charles Leclerc signed a multi-year extension, the F1 world was stunned by the news of Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari next year, leaving Carlos Sainz to find a new race seat. Ferrari opted to replace Sainz with Hamilton, a seven-time champion, in pursuit of a strong line-up for the 2025 grid. Team Principal Vasseur acknowledged the difficulty in informing Sainz about the decision but emphasized unity and professionalism moving forward. The decision to bring Hamilton to Ferrari was seen as a significant opportunity, separate from Sainz’s impressive performance in 2023. Vasseur highlighted the longstanding relationship with Hamilton, dating back to their GP2 days, which facilitated the natural progression towards teaming up at Ferrari. The early announcement of Hamilton’s move was strategic, allowing the team to focus on the 2024 campaign without distractions and ensuring full commitment from all parties involved.
