Fittipaldi: 'Whole of Italy will stop' to watch Hamilton's Ferrari debut
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Two-time F1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi has predicted that the entire nation of Italy will come to a standstill when Lewis Hamilton makes his competitive debut with Ferrari.
With the Scuderia's deep cultural significance in Italy and Hamilton's status as the most successful driver in Formula 1 history, the partnership is already setting the stage for one of the sport's most anticipated seasons.
Fittipaldi, speaking on talkSPORT's On Track podcast, painted a vivid picture of the excitement brewing in Italy as the countdown begins to Hamilton's first race in Ferrari red.
A Nation's Heartbeat: Ferrari and Its Fans
Unlike any other Formula 1 team, Ferrari holds an almost sacred place in the hearts of Italians. It's not just a racing team – it's a national treasure.
The prospect of Hamilton, with his seven world championships and unmatched global fan base, racing for the Italian outfit has stirred emotions across Italy.
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"Ferrari's coming back strong. [You] can imagine Lewis at Ferrari. The whole [of] Italy is going to stop on Sunday, to watch Lewis drive a Ferrari!" commented Fittipaldi.
His prediction captures the sheer magnitude of this moment for a country where F1 Sundays are a weekly ritual.
Hamilton, chasing a record-breaking eighth title, will step into a team that hasn't delivered a Drivers' Championship since Kimi Räikkönen's triumph in 2007.
The Dream Move: Hamilton and Ferrari
Fittipaldi also reflected on the significance of Hamilton's move from a sporting point of view, calling it the ultimate challenge and a defining chapter in the Briton's illustrious career.
"Lewis' motivation, [it's a] challenge to have a new team like Ferrari," the Brazilian explained.
"Every driver has a dream to drive for Ferrari. And I think that at the stage of his life, to be able to go to Ferrari, with Frederic Vasseur, who was his team [principal] in Formula 3 and Formula 2… The family's getting back together again, and that's going to be a big challenge."
Hamilton's reunion with Vasseur, who played a key role in the early days of his career, has only added to the buzz surrounding this new chapter.
"I'm looking forward to seeing next season," Fittipaldi concluded. "It should be very exciting for Lewis, and Formula 1 is getting extremely competitive now."
'Hamilton Mania' Sweeps Through Italy
While the excitement for Hamilton's first race is palpable, the build-up to his Ferrari debut has already sparked what some are calling 'Hamilton mania' in Italy.
Motorsport.com's Italian journalist Robert Chinchero described the feverish atmosphere, highlighting how Hamilton's first official appearance at Ferrari's Fiorano Circuit on January 21 is expected to draw unprecedented crowds.
©Ferrari
"The streets of Maranello, and around the Fiorano Circuit, will be filled with people," Chinchero said on the James Allen on F1 podcast. "It will create a spectacle not seen in years."
Thousands of fans are expected to flock to the iconic circuit, turning Hamilton's first laps in a Ferrari into a national celebration.
Authorities are reportedly bracing for chaos, as Chinchero humorously added, "It's going to be hard work for the police" to manage the throngs of supporters eager to catch a glimpse of the seven-time world champion in action.
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