Why didn’t Ferrari « ask Mercedes » if Lewis Hamilton could start earlier?
Frédéric Vasseur states that Ferrari did not ask Mercedes if Lewis Hamilton could make his early test debut with the team in Abu Dhabi, out of « respect » for his contract.
The seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, will be moving to Ferrari next season, ending a brilliant 12-year career at Mercedes, after choosing to activate a contract exit clause.
However, the idea that the Briton could drive a Ferrari during the end-of-year tests, after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has already been ruled out due to his contractual commitments with Mercedes. Therefore, Lewis Hamilton is expected to drive his new Formula 1 car for the first time on the private Fiorano circuit at the beginning of 2025.
Frédéric Vasseur confirmed in a press conference that Ferrari did not ask Mercedes to authorize Lewis Hamilton to participate in the Abu Dhabi tests. « No, they have a contract, so I didn’t even ask Toto to do anything. »
« There is a contract. It must be respected. And just because we are doing something for Carlos doesn’t mean everyone else has to do the same », he explains.
« A contractual reason »
Toto Wolff, director of Mercedes, stated that farewell plans for the 39-year-old driver prevented such an appearance. Fred did not ask, declared Toto Wolff.
« I think it’s different if you might be going to Williams, but we have contractual agreements with sponsors. We are organizing a farewell for Lewis, with many activities planned. He and I briefly discussed it, and he said, “I guess it’s not going to work.” I replied, “Yes, I don’t think it will work, and that’s that. I don’t think Fred is particularly disappointed. »
Frédéric Vasseur added that he did not want to block Carlos Sainz’s departure to Williams in order to thank him for his very professional attitude during his last season at Ferrari. “I wanted to thank Carlos for his collaboration, and I don’t want to block him or anything,” Vasseur said.
« I think he did a very good job with us this season, in a very professional manner, because it would have been easy to not give up but not have such a professional attitude. And for me, the best way to thank Carlos was also to give him the opportunity to test with Williams. »
