Ferrari address Hamilton concerns with 'perfect fit' claim

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has labelled Lewis Hamilton as the “perfect fit” for the Italian squad.

Hamilton is approaching his debut with Ferrari after ending his highly successful stint with Mercedes at the end of last year.

The 40-year-old has already taken part in a handful of private tests with Ferrari as he prepares for the new campaign.

Hamilton endured a difficult final few seasons at Mercedes as the team slipped back in the pecking order, while Hamilton questioned his own abilities on occasion as he struggled.

However, Vasseur pointed to Hamilton's display in Abu Dhabi last year as a sign he still has the pace to compete.

“He showed in Abu Dhabi, starting from the back and coming back to P4, overtaking Russell in the last lap, that the pace is there and I had no doubt before,” Vasseur told media including RacingNews365.

Hamilton has worked with Vasseur before as the pair won the GP2 title together prior to the Briton's promotion to F1.

Vasseur detailed Hamilton's vast F1 experience will be a valuable asset to the team this year.

“He’s not the same - he's 20 years older than when we were together first! Everybody is changing, improving, developing.

“For sure, he's much more mature, much more experienced and he's the perfect fit with the team today.

“That’s exactly what I was looking for, for the team, for me, for Charles, I think it's the perfect combination.”