He humorously likened it to the nerve-wracking feeling of dialing his good friend and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, after successfully luring away one of his drivers.
Vasseur anticipates that despite Carlos Sainz’s understandable disappointment at losing his seat, he will maintain an unwavering dedication to Ferrari this year. He stressed that the team’s support for Sainz will persist.
“When I had to break the news to Carlos, I can tell you it wasn’t the easiest conversation, probably one of the toughest, almost on par with talking to Toto!” Vasseur quipped when recounting the moment of delivering the bad news.
“But I firmly believe in Carlos’s professionalism. He understands the significance of the long season ahead and the immense opportunity before us. Being in this position is a dream, with the team firmly behind him. We had a thorough discussion, and I’ll be there to support Carlos every step of the way. He’s fully committed, and we know we must work together to achieve our goals. Together, we’re a team of professionals.”
Expounding on Sainz’s commitment, Vasseur remarked, “I have complete faith that Carlos will give his all, unwaveringly dedicated to the season until the very last lap. Equally, I’m confident the entire team will rally behind him. Carlos has already proven himself immensely valuable to us. Now, it’s crucial for us to maintain our focus on 2024. We’ve invested significant effort into this project, and we can’t afford any distractions.”
When asked about Lewis Hamilton, Vasseur, while cautious not to delve into long-term discussions during Tuesday’s media activities focused on the 2024 car launch, hinted at the significance of Hamilton’s arrival for Ferrari.
“With last week’s announcement regarding Lewis, it presents a monumental opportunity for the team, undoubtedly,” he acknowledged. “We believe he will bring substantial progress for the future, posing a welcome challenge for everyone involved. However, our priority remains squarely on 2024. We’re intent on avoiding any distractions, which is why we made the announcement early. It’s vital for us to maintain focus throughout the season.”
Pressed on whether he felt it was unfair for Sainz to make way for Hamilton, Vasseur responded, “Unfair? I’m not sure if ‘unfair’ is the right word. The opportunity with Lewis is one that any team would have to consider. His wealth of experience makes him a significant asset, and it presents a tremendous opportunity for us. This decision doesn’t reflect on Carlos. He excelled last year, and I’m confident he’ll continue to do so. We share a strong personal and professional bond. It’s simply the nature of the sport, and we must look ahead to the future.”
