Frederic Vasseur has called for focus at Ferrari following Lewis Hamilton’s arrival.
The seven-time Formula 1 champion is now officially a Ferrari employee, nearly a year on from his decision to walk away from Mercedes to join the Italian squad. Hamilton, who turns 40 next week, hopes to win an eighth drivers’ title in red before retiring from the sport.
Naturally, there is plenty of excitement among Ferrari’s famous fanbase of devoted Tifosi. This year they will get the chance to witness for the second time a seven-time F1 title-winner represent their team, nearly 20 years on from Michael Schumacher’s first retirement.
Everyone involved in the sport is counting down the days until we get our first glimpse of Hamilton in the team’s famous red colours. That is except for Ferrari employees, who have been ordered by team boss Vasseur not to allow themselves to be distracted.
The Frenchman said: “Everybody all over the world is excited and for sure, the mechanics are also excited, because it’s always exciting to have someone who is a seven-time world champion into the car. But I think after the day one, we’ll have to turn this page and to be focused on the job.”
And Vasseur also wants that same focus to be present in his new signing. Joining Ferrari is an emotional moment for Hamilton who has admitted dreaming about representing the famous team since his childhood, but sentiment will not help him to achieve his goals now that he has finally made the move.
The boss added: “It’s true that it’s quite emotional, because I think he has this moment in his mind for probably 20 years. It means that it will be emotional, but it has to be emotional for one lap! And then, [he has] to be focused.
Vasseur went on to make it clear that he has no concerns at all about his new driver’s mindset, however, as he added: “You know that every single team is different for sure, but we are all chasing the same goal with the same approach.
“What is a bit different is the passion or the emotion around the team, but I think Lewis is well prepared to manage this. I think it’s much easier to arrive somewhere when the passion is at the top than the opposite. I’m not worried at all.”
Hamilton marked his first day as a Ferrari employee with a throwback snap on social media. He posted an image of himself as a youngster, driving a kart while wearing a red helmet, with his iconic number 44 which he will continue to use in this new era of his glittering F1 career.
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