Before the 2024 season even got a chance to start, Lewis Hamilton shocked the F1 world by announcing that he will join Ferrari in 2025, replacing Carlos Sainz.

Hamilton recently indicated that his decision to part ways with Mercedes was significantly influenced by his previous relationship with current Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur.

In the past, he also gave hints that of being interested in ending his F1 career with the most successful team in the sport’s history.

Next year, Hamilton will team up with Charles Leclerc, creating one of the strongest driver pairings on the grid.

However, Mattia Binotto, who led Ferrari from 2019 to 2022 and brought Sainz to the team, has revealed that he wouldn’t have signed Hamilton if he was in Vasseur's position.

When asked by Corriere della Sera if he would’ve brought Hamilton to Ferrari, Binotto quickly answered: “No.”

“But he did very well to go to Ferrari, I agree with his decision.” 

Binotto thinks that bringing in the seven-time F1 champion would hurt Leclerc, who he believes should be given the chance to lead Ferrari back to the top.

He then explained why he wouldn't seek to sign Hamilton during his time in charge of the Maranello team.

“Because Ferrari had focused on other drivers.

“And if the talent is Leclerc, I think he is the one who should be accompanied to the objective in some way.”

Leclerc has established himself at Ferrari, having been with the team since 2019 and signing a long-term contract.

Over the years, has achieved seven Grand Prix victories with the team, including two notable wins this season—one at his home track in Monaco, fulfilling a childhood dream, and the other at Monza, celebrated in front of the Tifosi crowd.

Recently, Leclerc stated that he won’t be concerned about having Hamilton as a teammate. Unlike some drivers who might want the team to focus on them, the Monegasque believes he performs better when there’s competition within the team.