The 20-year link tying Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari

The GP2 series, now known as Formula 2, is an F1 feeder series designed to test rookie drivers. Hamilton's two victories there in 2005 and 2006 earned him an F1 seat with McLaren in 2007. He wound up finishing in second that season — just one point behind winner Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari — before claiming the F1 championship in 2008.

"I helped him when he went to McLaren at the beginning of his F1 career," said Vasseur, "and we talk from time to time."

From time to time is an understatement. Hamilton and Vasseur are frequently spotted together on race weekends, despite Hamilton's role with Mercedes and Vasseur's with Ferrari. 

Vasseur even went so far as to confirm that the two talk "at every Grand Prix." But Vasseur has been quick to downplay those conversations as mere catch-ups between friends.

"A possible arrival at Maranello [Ferrari's Italian headquarters]?" Vasseur laughed when asked if his relationship with Hamilton could cause the Englishman to join Ferrari. "We have been talking for twenty years. If every time we had a chat we had signed a contract, it would have cost me a fortune."

Hamilton isn't the only F1 driver that Vasseur knows well. The Frenchman has served as team principal of Renault/Alpine and Sauber/Alfa Romeo before transitioning to Ferrari.
 
In his time in F1, he's had Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz and Kevin Magnussen under his care, as well as former F1 drivers like Marcus Ericsson (now an Indy 500 winner) and Kimi Raikkonen (former F1 champion).

When Ferrari hired Vasseur to replace the outgoing Mattia Binotto in 2023, many wondered why the proudly Italian racing team had hired a Frenchman instead. 

These long-standing connections — plus a no-nonsense approach that generates serious results — were the reason.

And with seven-time world champion Hamilton waiting in the wings for 2025, it's looking like hiring Vasseur was one of the best things Ferrari's done in years.