Lewis Hamilton has revealed his immediate reaction to Fred Vasseur calling him about joining Ferrari – as anticipation builds towards his race debut with the team next week. The seven-time F1 world champion shocked the sporting world last year when he announced he would be leaving Mercedes – after 12 years and six world championships – at the end of the 2024 season.

Vasseur said Hamilton was the “perfect fit” for Ferrari right now, while Leclerc thought the Briton was joining at the ideal point as the team’s mentality is now stronger than ever, in part thanks to Vasseur’s leadership. No longer in a rebuild, the championship is a realistic goal for Ferrari.