Frédéric Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, has been a significant draw for Lewis Hamilton. They have a past together and although the big-money deal announced on Thursday will have been done with John Elkann, the overall head at Ferrari, having Fred there and his backing will have been important. Undoubtedly, Elkann will have confirmed to Lewis that he is content with the direction that Fred is taking the team – that will be a big thing.