According to Vasseur, Hamilton represents a "huge opportunity" for Ferrari

Ferrari's signing of seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton for 2025 represents both an opportunity and a challenge, team boss Fred Vasseur said on Tuesday.

Hamilton, 39, is the sport's most successful driver, with 103 wins.

Ferrari are the most successful, oldest, and most glamorous team in Formula One, but they have not won a championship since 2008.

Vasseur, speaking for the first time about the deal announced on Feb. 1, told reporters at the launch of Ferrari's new car that it also removed a distraction as the driver 'silly season' ramped up.

"A huge opportunity for the team, for sure," he said. "We are sure that he will bring us a decent step for the future and it will be a good challenge for everybody."

Vasseur, who has known Hamilton since the Briton raced for him in the junior series, explained that Ferrari wanted to focus on 2024, which is why the announcement came so early.

Hamilton will take over for Carlos Sainz at the team, and Vasseur is confident the Spaniard will remain committed to the season's final lap.

The Frenchman admitted that it was difficult to inform Sainz of the decision, but the most difficult call was to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, an old friend.

"As you can imagine it was not the easiest call of my life," he said of the conversation with Sainz. "One of the most difficult was the one with Toto."

SportsLigue