Frédéric Vasseur confirmed in Las Vegas that Lewis Hamilton would not be able to drive for Ferrari before 2025 but revealed that he had not asked Toto Wolff, his Mercedes F1 counterpart, for an early release either.
“I think Lewis’ first test with us will be in 2025.”
Is he not disappointed that he is not available for the post-Abu Dhabi tests while Ferrari has made Carlos Sainz available to Williams?
“You have to ask Toto. The story with Carlos is that I want to thank Carlos for his collaboration. And I don't want to block him or anything. I think he has did a very good job with us this season and a very professional job because it would have been easy to… not to give up, but not to have such a professional attitude And for me the best way to thank Carlos was also. to give him the opportunity to try out with Williams.”
“And for Lewis, no disappointment. They have a contract. They have a contract so I haven't even asked Toto to do anything.”
At his side, Wolff confirms.
“Fred didn't ask for anything. I think it's also a difference if you go to Williams, but we have contractual agreements with sponsors. We say goodbye to Lewis. We have a lot of activities planned. And he and I talked about it briefly, and he said 'I guess it's not going to work' and I said, 'yeah, I don't think it's going to work' And that was it. I don't think Fred is particularly sad.”
"No, I'm not! There is a contract and we have to respect it," concludes Vasseur.
“And just because we do something for Carlos doesn't mean everyone else has to do the same thing. And like Toto said, I didn't ask.”
