Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur says having to inform Carlos Sainz that he was going to be replaced by Lewis Hamilton in 2025 made for one of the most difficult phone calls of his life.
Sainz was the only non-Red Bull winner in 2023 and had wanted to finalize a new contract with Ferrari before the start of this season. However, the Spaniard will now leave at the end of the year to make way for Hamilton after the shock signing of the seven-time world champion, and Vasseur admits speaking to both Sainz and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was tough.
“As you can imagine, it was not the easiest call of my life,” Vasseur said. “One of the most difficult, with the one with Toto! I’m fully convinced he’s a very professional driver, that he understands that we have a long season in front of us — it’s a huge opportunity, and I think it’s also a dream to be in this situation, to have the team behind him.
“I think we had a long discussion as you can imagine, but I will be fully supportive of Carlos — he is fully committed and we know that we have to do the job together; we are professional.”
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Although Vasseur disputes the suggestion that it’s unfair for Sainz to lose his seat after performing strongly in 2023, he admits the decision to sign Hamilton had nothing to do with his current driver’s abilities.
“Unfair, I don’t know if it is the right word because I think for the team, the opportunity of Lewis is something that you have to consider in any case. He’s the guy with the biggest experience, and it’s a huge opportunity for us; it’s nothing to do with Carlos. Carlos did a great job last year, I’m sure he will do a great job next year. We have a very good personal relationship but it is like it is and we have to be focused on the future.”
The Ferrari team principal is confident the current two drivers will continue to work well together, with Charles Leclerc and Sainz having enjoyed a strong relationship over the past three seasons.
“Honestly, all through the season, we have always a good relationship between them. I’m not asking them to be the best friends in the world and go on vacation together, I’m asking them to work in the interests of Ferrari first, and in the right way, in the right approach and with the right mentality. All through the season, they did a good job. I think it’s also with this kind of relationship that we were able to come back and catch up, and thanks to them for the professionalism.”