F1
Ferrari boss impatient for Hamilton's debut: 'At 40, he's back in the game'
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It's not just the fans and spectators of the Formula 1 who are excited to see Lewis Hamilton don the red jumpsuit of the Prancing Horse. Internally too, the impatience could not be more palpable in the ranks of Ferrari, more than enthusiastic to welcome the seven-time world champion in 2025. The Briton should drive his first car Ferrari in the coming days, at Fiorano, as part of the TPC program ("Testing of Previous Car", with cars two years old or more) if conditions allow.
An impatience that is felt up to the highest levels of the Ferrari organization chart. Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari's CEO, is not immune to the overall excitement that has been animating Maranello for several weeks, even several months. "There is excitement, a great desire to start, to do the tests, recognizes the Italian leader in an interview with Corriere della Sera. Change is always important and Hamilton is back in the game. I loved reading his post on LinkedIn At the beginning of the year, a powerful message not to lose hope in all areas. With him and Charles [Leclerc], we are going to have fun.
Vigna found Hamilton's LinkedIn post " Magnificent "
Benedetto Vigna did not fail to highlight Lewis Hamilton's courage in taking on a new challenge at 40 with the Scuderia when he could have ended his career at MercedesFor the CEO of Ferrari, his arrival will be essential for the development of the Italian team, particularly with a view to 2026.
"A man who has won seven titles can transmit a lot of things, indicates the Italian. If I talk to Fred [Vasseur, Ferrari boss], he emphasizes his ability to give technical advice, but not only. He has a great desire for change, he is not afraid. At 40, he is back in the game. He has embraced a culture that is different in many ways, compared to the Anglo-Saxon culture. For me, this post on Linkedin reminded me of the moment when Indro Montanelli [an Italian journalist who founded the newspaper La Voce at the age of 85, following a disagreement with Silvio Berlusconi in 1994] decided to change at the age of 80. I found that magnificent.
A feeling of impatience reinforced by the great momentum displayed by Ferrari in the second part of the 2024 season, where the Scuderia played for the title until the end and finally failed 16 points from the world title behind McLaren. Benedetto Vigna said Ferrari's progress in 2024, the second campaign under Frederic Vasseur, has made him " proud " and he felt that the arrival of Lewis Hamilton would bring a "helping hand" additional to his team.
"Last year, during the last race in Abu Dhabi, I personally thanked the entire team, from Fred Vasseur to the mechanics. I am proud of the work accomplished, He says. There is now a good atmosphere. It is clear that you always have to maintain it, that is the beauty of the Ferrari spirit: it always pushes you to go further. This will give us a new impulse. Lewis will learn things from us and we will learn things from him. It is like dancing, the important thing is not to lose the rhythm.
ALSO READ > What is the "TPC", these private tests that Ferrari will organize for Hamilton at Fiorano?
Dorian Grangier
A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.
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Lucas Paul
19/01/2025 at 05:03 a.m.
The fall will only be harder! Other "oldies" have tried, the latest one Fernando, but none have succeeded! It will be the same for him, there is no superman yet :) You have to know how to retire without hurting yourself....... Even Mickael tried and got lost with Mercedes!
Yves-Henri RANDIER
19/01/2025 at 03:38 a.m.
It's hard for the Ferrari CEO not to make such comments when his boss John Elkann openly worked for Hamilton's transfer to the Scuderia by taking out his thick checkbook. The confrontation with Leclerc will be interesting to follow, especially if he makes the effort to learn Italian in order to facilitate his integration.