Difficult phone calls for Ferrari team boss due to Hamilton change

Record Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton's switch to Ferrari next year has forced Scuderia team boss Frederic Vasseur to make two difficult phone calls.

One was with his current driver Carlos Sainz, who will have to make way for Hamilton in 2025. And one with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, who will have to plan without his Formula 1 superstar next year.

"As you can imagine, it was not the easiest call of my life, but the one that was most difficult was the one with Toto," said Vasseur at the presentation of the new car, named SF-24, when asked how he had broken the bad news to Sainz.

Hamilton, who has a multi-year contract, will drive for Ferrari alongside Monegasque Charles Lecerc from 2025. The Briton's sensational switch was announced on February 1.

Ferrari simply had to think about Hamilton's experience on the track. "He is the one with the most experience, so it is a huge opportunity for us," explained Vasseur, who in turn maintains a close dialogue with Wolff.

Ferrari would like to topple industry leader Red Bull and world champion Max Verstappen as early as this year. The official Formula 1 test drives will take place from February 21 to 23. The first Grand Prix of the year will be held in Bahrain on March 2.