Former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto says he wouldn’t have signed Lewis Hamilton had he still been in charge of the Scuderia, insisting his focus would have remained on Charles Leclerc.
The Italian outfit stunned the paddock just before the start of the 2024 F1 season when they announced Hamilton’s multi-year contract with the iconic team starting in 2025, with the Briton taking over Carlos Sainz’s seat.
Hamilton is well acquainted with current Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur who managed the seven-time F1 world champion during his successful campaign in the GP2 Series in 2006, and the relationship between the two men was an important factor in convincing the Mercedes driver to move to Maranello.
However, Binotto, who led Ferrari from 2019 to 2022 and played a key role in signing Sainz, stated that he would have chosen a different path.
When asked if he would have pursued Hamilton, Binotto told Italy’s Corriere della Sera: "No. But he did very well to go to Ferrari, I agree with his decision."
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The Audi-Sauber boss explained his reasoning, stating that he would have supported Ferrari's commitment to Leclerc, the driver the team has groomed since his early days in their junior program.
“Because Ferrari had focused on other drivers,” he added. “And if the talent is Leclerc, I think he is the one who should be accompanied to the objective in some way.”
Leclerc, who has been with the Scuderia in F1 since 2019, has long been considered the team’s future and holds a long-term contract.
Binotto’s comments suggest that Hamilton’s arrival could potentially shift the balance within the team, overshadowing Leclerc’s role as Ferrari’s leading driver.
Despite these concerns, Leclerc himself has welcomed the challenge of partnering with Hamilton.
In recent comments, the Monegasque downplayed any fears of tension and said he’s motivated by the prospect of having a teammate with Hamilton’s pedigree.
“I don't think there is jealousy. Fred is not my girlfriend!" Leclerc joked, referring to Vasseur. "We love each other, we value each other but there is no jealousy.
"I was always aware of the negotiations between Lewis and Ferrari,” he added. “I knew there was this possibility, everything was very transparent and I was the first to say that for me to have a team-mate of this depth would be motivating.
"When you have a seven-time world champion driving your own car it's a super interesting challenge, then I have a very good relationship with Lewis and I'm sure that will be the case in the future.
"Having said that I really want to say that we also had a great partnership with Carlos [Sainz], we worked very well and our relationship has always been great.
"In a few months, we will turn the page, and I admit I am looking forward to the new challenge with Lewis, every team-mate always has very strong points and weaker ones, so you can always learn. I see this as a great opportunity."
For Binotto, however, the focus remains clear: Ferrari’s future should have revolved around Leclerc, a driver he believes has what it takes to lead the team back to championship glory.
Hamilton’s move may be seen as a bold step by Vasseur, but Binotto’s vision for Ferrari’s resurgence rested firmly on nurturing Leclerc’s talent.
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