Fred Vasseur explains 'not easy' call with Carlos Sainz: 'One of most difficult was Toto Wolff!'

Ferrari F1 team principal Fred Vasseur has admitted telling Carlos Sainz that Lewis Hamilton would be replacing him was “not the easiest call of my life”.

At the start of this month it was confirmed that Hamilton would be quitting Mercedes to make the shock switch to Ferrari from 2025, where he will take the seat currently occupied by Sainz.

Vasseur conceded calling Sainz up to inform him of the bombshell news was difficult, as was the call with Mercedes boss and close friend Toto Wolff.

“As you can imagine, it was not the easiest call of my life. One of the most difficult was the one with Toto [Wolff]!” Vasseur told media including Crash.net on Tuesday.

“But I’m fully convinced that he’s a very professional driver. He understands that we have a long season ahead of us. It’s a huge opportunity and I think it’s also a dream situation to have the team behind him.

“We had a long discussion, as you can imagine, but I will be fully supportive of Carlos. But he is fully committed and we know we have to do the job together. We are professionals.”

Asked if Ferrari’s decision to sign Hamilton was unfair on the Spaniard, who was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race in 2023, Vasseur responded: “Unfair, I don’t know if this is the right word.

"Because I think for the team the opportunity of [signing] 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 has nothing to do with Carlos. Carlos did a great job last year and I’m sure he’ll do a great job this year. But he’s very professional and we have a very good personal relationship.

“It’s like it is and we have to be focused on the future.”