Lewis Hamilton comes to grips with the truth behind Sebastian Vettel's iconic Ferrari quote

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Lewis Hamilton Finally Understands Why Sebastian Vettel Was Right About Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel were once fierce competitors on the track, but over time, their rivalry gave way to mutual respect and a strong friendship.

Both drivers entered Formula 1 in the same era, though Vettel arrived midway through the 2007 season. While Hamilton, three years his senior, was already in contention for titles, it wasn't long before Vettel made his mark. By 2010, the German had claimed his first championship, kicking off a dominant Red Bull era that Hamilton desperately tried to break over the following seasons.

The duo then embarked on separate yet equally seismic career moves—Hamilton to Mercedes and Vettel to Ferrari. While Hamilton found himself in a historically dominant Silver Arrows machine, Vettel gave everything to restore Ferrari's glory. Though the German amassed 14 wins for the Scuderia, he fell short of toppling Mercedes’ hybrid-era supremacy.

Behind closed doors, Ferrari questioned whether Vettel had the raw pace to dethrone Hamilton, leading to Charles Leclerc's promotion in 2019 as a direct challenge. Leclerc’s rapid adaptation signaled the end of Vettel's tenure at Maranello, eventually prompting his move to Aston Martin before retiring in 2022.

Despite their past rivalry, Hamilton has openly praised Vettel, recently calling him "the best world champion I know" in recognition of their shared commitment to activism beyond motorsport.

Lewis Hamilton Embraces Sebastian Vettel's Famous Ferrari Quote

Now, Hamilton has followed in Vettel's footsteps by leaving his long-time team to don Ferrari red, aiming to claim a historic eighth world title. But beyond the championship fight, he's quickly come to appreciate one of Vettel's most famous remarks about Ferrari fandom.

Sebastian Vettel once stated, "Everyone is a Ferrari fan, even if they say they're not." That sentiment was recently put to Hamilton in an interview with Channel 4 F1's Billy Monger—and the Brit couldn't agree more.

Hamilton made his first public appearance as a Ferrari driver in the UK during the F1 75 event in London, where he was met with thunderous applause. Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater noted that an unprecedented number of British fans were sporting Ferrari red—something rarely seen before Hamilton's move.

Now, with Hamilton at Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel's words ring truer than ever. The allure of the Prancing Horse transcends team rivalries, and the British driver’s arrival is only strengthening the global passion for the Scuderia.

The Briton acknowledged that while he couldn’t speak for everyone, he believed Sebastian Vettel's statement to be true. He noted that wherever he had traveled, he had witnessed immense passion for the Ferrari brand.

While recognizing that Formula 1 has dedicated fans supporting various teams, Lewis Hamilton emphasized that no team or brand compares to Ferrari. He highlighted the intense emotions and enthusiasm surrounding the Scuderia, describing its supporters as deeply passionate and highly engaged, which he found exciting to witness.

Why Lewis Hamilton Has Gained a Newfound Respect for Sebastian Vettel After Joining Ferrari

Recent reports revealed that Sebastian Vettel had considered making a return to Formula 1 for the 2025 season, but his plans were thwarted when Red Bull's Helmut Marko intervened. The Austrian former racing driver and motorsport executive, concerned about the potential impact on Vettel’s legacy, prevented the comeback. Despite this, Vettel’s place in F1 history is already secured with his four world championships, which have cemented him as one of the sport's all-time greats. Although he never achieved his ultimate dream of winning a championship with Ferrari, Vettel remains third on the Scuderia’s all-time victory list, trailing only the legendary Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda.

Vettel's first victory with Ferrari came at the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix, just his second race with the team. While Mercedes was dominant that season, Vettel and Ferrari managed to outsmart them with a brilliant strategic move in Sepang, proving their potential to challenge the best.

For Lewis Hamilton, joining Ferrari has given him a deeper appreciation for Vettel’s accomplishments, especially after experiencing firsthand just how challenging it is to adapt to the unique environment of the iconic Italian team. Hamilton has acknowledged the immense amount of work that lies ahead for him as he adjusts to Ferrari's culture, systems, and demands. While he still has significant progress to make, Hamilton now has a heightened respect for Vettel's dedication and success at Ferrari, understanding just how difficult it is to secure victories and championships with the Scuderia.

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