Lewis Hamilton makes Ferrari move that Michael Schumacher was criticized for avoiding

Yesterday at 06:14 PM

Lewis Hamilton's transition to Scuderia Ferrari has dominated headlines throughout the Formula 1 off-season, sparking immense anticipation among fans and pundits alike.

As was expected, his first outing at the Fiorano circuit in Italy drew a massive crowd, eager to witness the seven-time world champion take his initial steps in Ferrari red. That attention will only intensify when he arrives in Bahrain for pre-season testing, where all eyes will be on how quickly he adapts to his new surroundings.

During the three-day test at the Bahrain International Circuit, Lewis Hamilton will split track time with his new teammate, Charles Leclerc. While both drivers will receive equal running in Ferrari's 2025 challenger, Charles Leclerc's deep familiarity with the team's inner workings could give him an early-season advantage.

However, Lewis Hamilton has already begun laying the groundwork to integrate himself into the Ferrari ecosystem. After spending 12 years at Mercedes, he had an intimate understanding of every nuance within that operation. Now, he faces the challenge of immersing himself in a completely different environment—one steeped in tradition and fueled by the expectations of Ferrari's passionate fanbase, the Tifosi.

While Michael Schumacher is now an icon at Maranello, his early years at Ferrari were not without challenges. Winning over the Tifosi is no easy task, but Lewis Hamilton has already made a striking gesture that could accelerate his acceptance among the fans and within the team.

A recently surfaced video shows Lewis Hamilton delivering a speech in Italian to Ferrari employees, reading from his phone while being met with enthusiastic applause. This effort to embrace the culture and engage directly with his new colleagues is a significant step in solidifying his place at Ferrari before the 2025 Formula 1 season even begins.

An Italian media report revealed the details of Lewis Hamilton's speech, translating his words as a heartfelt message of gratitude. He expressed appreciation for the warm welcome he had received and shared his excitement about beginning this new journey with Ferrari. He described joining the team as a lifelong dream and conveyed his eagerness to start working alongside his new colleagues.

Journalist Jose M. Zapico later pointed out on social media that this was something Michael Schumacher had never done in the early years of his Ferrari tenure. He explained that Schumacher was not widely liked in Italy at first and was only fully appreciated after leaving the team. During his time at Maranello, he was often referred to by impersonal or even unflattering nicknames, such as “The German” and “Sochmacher.” According to Zapico, Schumacher faced criticism for never making the effort to speak Italian, whereas Hamilton had at least taken the initiative to read his speech from his phone.

Schumacher's reputation during the early stages of his Ferrari career had been complex. A report from ESPN in 2001 highlighted the skepticism some Ferrari fans had toward him, even after he secured his first title with the team. At the launch of that season's car, the German driver addressed the perception that he was emotionally distant. He defended himself by explaining that he was not the type to put on a performance for the cameras, insisting that emotions could not be manufactured.

At the time, Michael Schumacher had been accused of lacking the same passion for Ferrari as his teammate, Rubens Barrichello. The ESPN report described how he had previously been viewed as “cold and aloof,” an image that began to shift when he broke down in tears on the podium at Monza the previous year. Schumacher later admitted that his feelings for Ferrari had always been strong, even if they were not always outwardly visible. He emphasized that his emotions were real, even if they were not publicly displayed, adding that he had experienced both joy and sorrow in private moments away from the spotlight.

Notably, Michael Schumacher did speak in Italian at that particular car launch, a gesture that was well received by the fans in attendance. Lewis Hamilton's recent effort mirrors that move, demonstrating his willingness to embrace Ferrari's culture. While he may never need to achieve fluency in Italian—given that English remains the team's primary working language—his decision to speak in Ferrari's native tongue has already been appreciated.

Now, his focus will be on ensuring that his performances on track further strengthen his bond with Formula 1's most passionate supporters in the months ahead.

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