Ferrari breaks silence on Mercedes blocking Lewis Hamilton from post-season test
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur shared Maranello's view on Lewis Hamilton being forced by Mercedes to not take part in the post-season test.
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Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur (images via IMAGO)
Lewis Hamilton will race for Scuderia Ferrari in 2025. The British driver will bid farewell to Mercedes at the season finale in Abu Dhabi this year. However, the Prancing Horse will not be able to run Hamilton at the post-season test. Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur shared his thoughts over the situation.
Mercedes decided to block Lewis Hamilton from taking part in the post-season test with the Scuderia. On other hand, Ferrari has allowed Carlos Sainz to test for Williams after the season ends. Vasseur was asked if he was disappointed by the decision made by Toto Wolff. The Frenchman highlighted that he understood this was part of Hamilton’s contract with the Silver Arrows.
No, they [Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes] have a contract.
Fred Vasseur said
Moreover, the Ferrari team emphasized that a team must respect contractual obligations in such a situation. Fred Vasseur pointed out that he could not have expected Mercedes to make a similar call to the Scuderia’s decision with Sainz.
There is a contract you have to respect this, its not because we are doing something for Carlos that everybody has to do the same.
Fred Vasseur stated
fred : "for me the best way to send carlos was to give him the opportunity to do the test with williams"
— sim (@sim3744) November 22, 2024
'are you dissapointed that you cant run LEWIS?'
fred : "no they have a contract.."
toto : "we have contractual agreements with sponsors, we have a farewell for lewis. lots… pic.twitter.com/pM0B4YhoEF
Toto Wolff reveals reason for blocking Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari test
Wolff pinpointed that Mercedes has agreements with sponsors over Lewis Hamilton’s departure. The Silver Arrows are planning a big farewell for the seven-time world champion. Toto Wolff recalled that Hamilton himself understood that it would not be possible for him to test the SF24 for the Scuderia at the end of the year.
We have contractual agreements with sponsors, we have a farewell for Lewis. lots of activities that are planned and him and I, we spoke about it shortly and he said ‘I guess that’s not gonna work’ and I said ‘yeah don’t think its gonna work.’
Toto Wolff asserted
Certainly, the Tifosi would be disappointed by having to wait for the start of 2025 to see Lewis Hamilton in red. However, the 39-year-old does deserve a grand farewell with the team he has won six of his seven world championships. Thus, fans can expect an emotional tribute to Hamilton soon.
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Armaan Agarwal
(2367 Articles Published)