Charles Leclerc (MON) of Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton (GBR) of Mercedes AMG F1 are seen on the drivers’ parade during the Monaco Grand Prix, Race Day on May 26, 2024. The Formula 1 World Championship, Round 8, took place in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Frederic Vasseur, the boss of Ferrari, has dismissed the notion that Lewis Hamilton joining the team alongside Charles Leclerc will have a negative impact on their chances of winning the Formula 1 title. Earlier this season, it was announced that Hamilton would be partnering with Leclerc, creating an exciting duo. However, some have raised concerns that having two top-level drivers could hinder Ferrari’s prospects. Vasseur, on the other hand, believes that the benefits of having both Hamilton and Leclerc outweigh any potential drawbacks. He argues that having two strong drivers will result in more points for the team.
Vasseur draws on the successful period of Ferrari in the early 2000s when Rubens Barrichello played a supporting role to Michael Schumacher. He also points out that Red Bull has dominated recent seasons with Max Verstappen, who has outperformed his teammate Sergio Perez. Despite these examples, Vasseur remains confident that Hamilton and Leclerc will not take points away from each other. He sees their partnership as a positive move for the team’s performance. Vasseur emphasizes the healthy competition between Carlos Sainz and Leclerc, which pushes them to achieve better results. He believes that having two strong drivers is more advantageous than having one and a half.
Vasseur also praises Sainz for maintaining his level of performance despite knowing that his contract will not be extended. He describes Sainz as a professional who is fully committed to the team. Vasseur is pleased with Sainz’s approach and expects him to continue performing at a high level until the end of the 2024 season.