How Ferrari staff feels about Lewis Hamilton reading Italian from his phone in factory speech
02/15/2025 11:48 AM
Lewis Hamilton is set to drive Ferrari's 2025 Formula 1 car for the first time next week, with a shakedown scheduled for 19 February at the Fiorano test track. The occasion will mark a major milestone in his journey with the Scuderia as he gets behind the wheel of the red machine.
However, the mood at Ferrari is somewhat mixed about the upcoming launch of the F175 in London. The team is frustrated by the need to fly to the event, especially as their UK-based competitors will only need to make a short trip. Despite the logistics, all eyes will be on Hamilton, who is expected to be the main attraction as he makes his first official appearance as a Ferrari driver. Although thousands of fans were present for his first test last month, that event was intended to be private. Team principal Fred Vasseur has worked hard to keep the media frenzy around Hamilton's signing in check.
Following his first outing with Ferrari in the 2023 car, Lewis Hamilton traveled to Barcelona, where a crash on the second day disrupted Ferrari's testing plan. While the team downplayed the significance of the incident, it did cast a shadow over the proceedings. However, he also took part in a Pirelli tyre test in a modified SF-24 at the same circuit, which reportedly went without any major issues.
The most crucial moment in Lewis Hamilton’s pre-season preparation will be the official test in Bahrain, which is just over two weeks away. Off the track, Lewis Hamilton has been making efforts to integrate with his new colleagues and motivate the team as he settles into his role at the Italian side.
At Ferrari's Maranello headquarters, Hamilton made a significant gesture that has already been well-received by the team. Appearing on stage with Fred Vasseur and teammate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton addressed the staff in Italian, thanking them for their warm welcome and expressing his excitement about driving for Ferrari—a dream he has long harbored. Although Lewis Hamilton had to read from his phone, Ferrari employees appreciated his effort to learn the language and immerse himself in his new surroundings. This gesture went a long way in gaining the support of the team, with the crowd giving him the warmest reception. While Leclerc is already fluent in Italian, Lewis Hamilton will no doubt continue to work on his language skills as he settles into life at the Maranello team.
Lewis Hamilton's efforts are already being compared to those of Michael Schumacher, who, despite a legendary career at Ferrari, never made the effort to speak Italian during his time with the team. In contrast, Hamilton has made it clear that his desire to win remains as strong as ever, and he is committed to pushing for a world championship with Ferrari. Former F1 driver Jaime Alguersuari has suggested that Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari is about more than just winning—it's also about enjoying his time with the team before retirement. However, despite this, it's clear the British driver wouldn't have made the switch if he didn't believe he could still challenge for an eighth world title.
With his Italian efforts already going further than Michael Schumacher's, Lewis Hamilton has set a strong foundation in his quest to endear himself to Ferrari and prove that he's not just there for fun, but to win and add to his legendary career.
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