Ferrari reveal ‘panic mode’ concern behind crucial Lewis Hamilton call

Fred Vasseur has reflected on a critical decision he made at Ferrari whilst addressing the impact of recent noise surrounding the Italian team.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has further explained his rationale for confirming Lewis Hamilton would be joining the Scuderia before the start of the 2024 F1 season.

The 57-year-old, who had been at the helm of the Italian team since the start of the previous year, wanted to avoid triggering a “panic mode” from Carlos Sainz.

Highlighting how “stories and upheavals” can cost compromise focus, the Frenchman compared how Red Bull has struggled in contrast to McLaren because of the significant noise surrounding the Milton Keynes-based team.

It was also part of the reason Vasseur was so enraged by rumours regarding personnel at Ferrari and negative reporting on the Maranello team whilst his own future was being speculated about earlier this year.

Whilst he has now signed on to a multi-year extension with the Prancing Horse, he was livid with not only the standard of coverage Ferrari received over the period, but also the impact it had internally.

When asked if that episode hurt the 16-time F1 constructors’ champions, Vasseur quickly pivoted, addressing rival teams in the paddock.

“This isn’t about me,” he responded to Auto, Motor und Sport. “Things like this can cause people in the team to lose focus.

“Look at Red Bull and what’s happened there in recent weeks. There have only been rumours about Verstappen.

“And that’s one of McLaren’s strengths. They’ve managed to stay out of all these stories and upheavals.”

Elaborating on his point, Vasseur detailed how avoiding distraction and minimising the pain of changing drivers was his motivation for making Hamilton’s switch to the team public before the upcoming campaign had got underway.

Although a difficult experience for Sainz, it was a decision made with the Spaniard in mind, who could acquiesce with the situation and move on.

“That’s why I announced Lewis [Hamilton]’s signing before the season started last year,” Vasseur said. “If I’d done that between Imola and Monte Carlo, many would have gone into panic mode.

“This way, Carlos [Sainz] was aware of the situation from the start and was able to digest it before it all started. His focus was on his job.”