February 2024 will be remembered as one of the most eventful months in Formula 1 history. Amid off-track scandals, team unveilings, and testing, the news that dominated headlines was the shocking deal bringing Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari in 2025. The seven-time world champion will end his historic partnership with Mercedes, where he claimed six of his seven world titles, becoming the most successful driver of all time.
That Ignored WhatsApp Message by Fred Vasseur
The news took everyone by surprise, including Toto Wolff, who revealed he had suspicions two days before the rumor surfaced publicly: “When I sent Fred (Vasseur) a WhatsApp message two days before, he didn’t reply, so I figured there was something going on. Fred didn’t tell me; Lewis felt he should tell me first.”
Despite this, the Austrian admitted he harbored no resentment towards the Frenchman, with whom he shares a long-standing friendship: “We’ve been friends for a long time, and similarly, we acknowledge that we’re competitors on the track.”
“It’s a delicate balance, not always easy because we have a duty and obligation to give our best in the interest of our teams. And that’s what Fred did in this situation. I understand the logic. It’s not always easy, in such a good relationship, to know how to handle it. However, it has had no effects or repercussions on the relationship I will have with Fred.” – he pointed out.
What made the deal possible was primarily the 20-year relationship between Fred Vasseur and Lewis Hamilton, with the French manager proving instrumental in the Briton’s path to Formula 1 in the mid-2000s.
“I have an excellent relationship with Fred,” Lewis declared a few days ago in Bahrain. “Obviously, I raced with him in F2, and we had extraordinary success in F3 and also in GP2. That’s where the foundation of our relationship started. We’ve always stayed in touch.” – the seven-time Formula One world champion added.
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“I thought he would become a fantastic team manager at some point and move to F1, but at that time, he wasn’t interested. It was really nice to see him enter Alfa Romeo. Then, when he got the position at Ferrari, I was thrilled for him.”
“I believe the stars aligned, and it wouldn’t have happened without him. So I’m very grateful to him and really excited about the work he’s doing.”
Source: f1ingenerale
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