Lewis Hamilton’s arrival in 2025 will present a “good problem” for everybody at Ferrari to lift their recreation, team-boss Fred Vasseur has mentioned.

Hamilton’s shock transfer was introduced on the finish begin of February which means he’ll see out the ultimate 12 months of his Mercedes contract earlier than changing Carlos Sainz in 2025.

– Unlapped: Learn how to pay attention or watch ESPN’s new F1 present, episode archive, and extra

Ferrari launched its automotive for the approaching season on Tuesday, giving Vasseur, Sainz and Hamilton’s future teammate Charles Leclerc the possibility to speak in regards to the upcoming change for the primary time.

“It is an enormous alternative for the group for positive,” Vasseur mentioned.

“We’re positive that he’ll deliver us an honest step for the longer term and it will likely be a superb problem for everyone.

“We need to be centered on 2024 and we do not need to have any type of distraction. It is also why we made the announcement so early, as a result of it was vital for us to be centered on 2024 for all the season.”

Whereas Ferrari chairman John Elkann has been a very long time admirer of Hamilton’s expertise, Vasseur additionally performed a key position in negotiations. Vasseur was the Brit’s group boss when he gained the 2006 GP2 championship, a 12 months earlier than his F1 rookie season.

“We now have had a superb relationship for greater than 20 years now,” Vasseur mentioned.

“We had been all the time involved to talk about various things and I believe it got here up naturally. I do not know what was this straightforward or what was not, but it surely got here like this, step-by-step.”

Sainz, who might substitute Hamilton at Mercedes or make the change to Sauber for 2025, discovered earlier than the information turned public.

Vasseur admitted it was uncomfortable letting the Spaniard know.

“As you possibly can think about, it was not the best name of my life,” Vasseur mentioned of his first dialogue with Sainz.

“One of the crucial troublesome, with the one with Toto [Wolff].”

Leclerc mentioned he additionally had an thought the Hamilton transfer was on the playing cards for some time, however that the scenario had no baring on his determination to signal an extension with Ferrari.

“These type of offers are usually not finalised in a single day,” Leclerc mentioned.

“It takes time and I used to be conscious of these dialogue earlier than signing my deal so it did not come out as a shock after signing.

“For the remaining I do not need to remark that a lot, principally out of respect for Carlos.

“We now have had nice years and we are going to do every part we will do end on essentially the most profitable word doable.

“Lewis is an unimaginable driver, essentially the most profitable in historical past, with rather a lot expertise he’ll deliver to the group and to me.

“It was good that the group was clear, but it surely did not change something for me.”