Vasseur said Hamilton was the “perfect fit” for Ferrari right now, while Leclerc thought the Briton was joining at the ideal point as the team’s mentality is now stronger than ever, in part thanks to Vasseur’s leadership. No longer in a rebuild, the championship is a realistic goal for Ferrari.

Formula 1 will speed back onto the sporting calendar for 2025 later this year in the final season before the new regulations. Max Verstappen is on a historic run of four successive drivers

Former Formula 1 champion Nigel Mansell is backing Lewis Hamilton to emulate him in winning his debut race for Ferrari.