Sebastian Vettel has revealed his move to Ferrari had been years in the pipeline after forging close links with the team since 2008.
Vettel – then racing for Toro Rosso – immediately impressed and was promoted to the Red Bull team in 2009, when he went on to become four-time world champion in successive years.
After struggling in 2014, the 27-year-old opted to leave Red Bull and replace Fernando Alonso at Ferrari, a move that had been discussed for some time.
"When I arrived at Toro Rosso, I started greeting [then-Ferrari team principal] Stefano Domenicali and the Ferrari technicians who took care of my engine," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"With Domenicali, starting from 2008 when I was at Red Bull, I discussed once and again about a potential future for me at Ferrari.
"In 2010 there was another approach, but again with nothing put to paper.
"In the winter between 2012 and 2013 I even secretly went to Maranello [Ferrari's headquarters] to meet [former president Luca Di] Montezemolo and talk about this subject.
"When Domenicali had left and contacts kept going on, I met with Marco Mattiacci and spoke with Montezemolo again.
"It was a dream for me. Now I'm happy I'm inside that dream."
Vettel is preparing for his first race in Ferrari red at the Australian Grand Prix on March 15, the German having completed 272 laps during pre-season testing.
"It's hard to say now what we are strong," he added. "You have to have patience.
"But the car certainly goes well, Kimi and I are happy.
"Ferrari is a team that so many people have left and are just beginning to be replaced. It takes time to blend, but sooner or later we will arrive."