Lewis Hamilton is proving a ‘perfect fit’ with Ferrari, says team director Fred Vasseur while SF-24 releases | F1 news

Frederic Vasseur says Lewis Hamilton is proving to be a “perfect fit” with Ferrari, as the seven -time world champion prepares for his first campaign with the Italian team.

After announcing last February that he would join Ferrari after 12 years in Mercedes in one of the most stunning transfers of drivers in Formula 1 history, Hamilton is only a few weeks away from his first red race.

40-year-old Brit said he was feeling “empowered” at the launch of all F1 teams in London on Tuesday before driving their 2025-SF-25-time car first on the way of the test itself Fiorano of the team on Wednesday together team friend Charles Leclerc.

Vasseur was the head of the Hamilton team at GP2 (now Formula 2) in 2006 and seems to be very pleased with what he saw during the first stages of their reunification, before testing before -Sonon in Bahrain next week – directly IN Sky Sports F1.

He said: “He is not the same, he is 20 years older than when we were first and everyone is changing, improving, developing.

“Surely, he is much more mature, much more experienced and he is the perfect fit to the team today.

“That’s exactly what I was looking for, for the team, for me, for Charles, I think it’s the perfect combination.”

Hamilton’s age, and some underlining shows – especially in qualification – during his last season with Mercedes have made some ask if his powers are falling, but Vasseur showed in the 2024 season final as evidence of Brit.

He added: “He showed in Abu Dhabi, starting from the back and returning to P4, crossing Russell into the last lap, that the rhythm is there and I had no doubt before.”

‘We need to avoid being shy with Hamilton’

Hamilton reaches a Ferrari team who did not fall little to claim a championship of the first constructors since 2008 after they finished 2024 only 14 points after McLaren.

There is a great excitement in Italy that the arrival of Hamilton can help to conclude that waiting, or one for a driver’s title that extends again a year.

Before the Wednesday’s SF-25 SFKODOW, Hamilton’s only time in a Ferrari has been driving their cars from the previous two seasons in the days of probation during the last month.

While Vasseur accepts that situation, at least for now, it will limit how much feedback can provide Hamilton, even small offers can be essential given the expected tightness of the battle in the front in 2025 after sport Enter the fourth and last season of his current cycle of regulations.

Vasseur said: “They (drivers) are all part of the car’s development, the evolution of the car. Surely, for Lewis is the first phase of this collaboration because it made only two TPCs (testing of previous cars) and now It’s on the right track, but for sure, reactions are always important.

“The reactions are helping the team develop and do a better job. Even if there are some small details, what we have to keep in mind is that last year we finished 14 points after McLaren. It means it is Little than one point for the race.

“It means we are always talking about details. It is not a matter of changing the car completely or whatever. If we are able to bring a little performance to one or two topics, it is already a big step forward.

“And Lewis is coming up with his experience, with his ancestry, and he will help the team develop in every single area. how we operate on the right track.

“And we as a team, we have to avoid being timid and try to understand where we can improve. And that’s my work and the work of technicians.”

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