Lewis Hamilton’s first week at Ferrari: Louboutin boots, a dream fulfilled and a proud…read more
Lewis Hamilton’s first week at Ferrari was filled with excitement and anticipation as he stepped into the iconic team’s headquarters in Maranello, Italy. As he walked through the ‘heritage section’ of Ferrari’s factory, his eyes were drawn to the Ferrari F40, a legendary model among the manufacturer’s rare road cars. His enthusiasm was evident as he spread his hands across the car’s rear spoiler, visibly thrilled to have found his favorite. For Hamilton, a seven-time Formula 1 world champion, this moment represented a dream fulfilled—joining Ferrari, the most iconic team in F1, was a lifelong ambition.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari had been long in the making. After 12 successful seasons with Mercedes, he made the surprise decision to leave the team, facing a difficult final year in 2024. His emotional departure from Mercedes in Abu Dhabi marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. His switch to Ferrari, however, brought an overwhelming sense of excitement.
The transition was carefully planned, with Ferrari’s F1 team principal Fred Vasseur preferring to avoid a grand media event so as not to disrupt the team’s preparations for the upcoming season. Despite this, Ferrari ensured that Hamilton’s first week in Maranello would be memorable. The F40, a historic Ferrari model, was wheeled out in the rain to Piazza Michael Schumacher, a tribute to the legendary driver who helped bring Ferrari five of its seven drivers’ titles. This piazza, near Enzo Ferrari’s house, is a place filled with history, and it was here that Hamilton’s first official photos as a Ferrari driver were taken.
Every detail of Hamilton’s first day was meticulously planned, including his outfit, carefully chosen by his stylist Eric McNeal. Hamilton wore red-soled Louboutin boots, and his first official pictures went viral, quickly becoming the most-liked photo on F1’s Instagram. The media coverage in Italy was overwhelming, with newspapers featuring images of Hamilton’s arrival. Even the passionate Ferrari fans, or tifosi, gathered outside Ferrari’s headquarters in the early hours to catch a glimpse of their new hero.
During his visit, Hamilton expressed his excitement about reconnecting with fans, having built a strong bond with his “Team LH” supporters during his time at McLaren and Mercedes. Meeting with the fans, posing for photos, and signing autographs were all part of his efforts to engage with Ferrari’s loyal fan base.
Looking ahead to 2025, both Ferrari and Hamilton have much to prove. Ferrari narrowly missed out on the 2024 Constructors’ Championship, finishing just 14 points behind the winners, while Hamilton is still chasing a record-breaking eighth world title. His struggles with the Mercedes car in 2024, where he lagged behind teammate George Russell, have fueled questions about his future performance. However, Hamilton is eager to shake off his struggles and prove that he still has the edge that made him one of F1’s greatest drivers.
One key aspect of Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari was forming strong relationships with his new colleagues. He spent time getting to know his new teammates and race engineer Riccardo Adami, who previously worked with Carlos Sainz and Sebastian Vettel. Adami will now be Hamilton’s voice over the radio during races, a role similar to that of Hamilton’s long-time Mercedes race engineer, Peter Bonnington. This bond will be crucial as Hamilton settles into his new role at Ferrari, with hopes of bringing the team back to the pinnacle of Formula 1.
