Breaking the news to his team boss Toto Wolff, Mercedes announced on February 1 that Hamilton would be leaving the team with Ferrari confirming a few hours later that the Briton had signed a multi-year deal.
Said to be worth over $400m when all salary, clauses, incentives and Mission 44 funding are taken into account, it was speculated as to how long many years Hamilton’s multi-year deal actually was. Two years? A year with an option for a second? More?
Vasseur has now answered that question with three years being the duration. After all, the 39-year-old needed a timeframe of sorts as he chase his record-breaking eighth World title.
“Lewis was an important symbol because it sends a positive message to the paddock for the future of the team,” Vasseur told the Financial Times of the seven-time World Champion’s signing.
“He had to make a choice: ‘Where do I have the biggest chance to win the World Championship in 2025, ’26, ’27?’ And he said, ‘Ferrari’.
“For us, he’s also the best way to attract good people. We have good people at Ferrari, but I want to reinforce
“Most [F1 technicians] are in the UK. If you move from Mercedes in Brackley to Red Bull in Milton Keynes you keep the children at the same school, you keep the same house. From Friday to Monday, you can switch.
“Coming to Italy, it’s a different story. You have to move the family; it’s a change of life. The move of Lewis will help us.”
Be the first to comment