Two-time F1 champion predicts what will happen in Italy when Lewis Hamilton gets behind wheel of Ferrari car
Yesterday at 03:29 PM
The moment when Lewis Hamilton finally steps behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car is fast approaching. The seven-time world champion’s move to the Maranello team officially became a reality at the start of the new year.
This marks just the second time in Hamilton’s illustrious career that he has switched teams. The 39-year-old made his transition to Mercedes from McLaren in 2013, a move that was relatively smooth due to McLaren's longstanding connection with Mercedes as their engine supplier. However, his move to Ferrari presents a completely different challenge—one that involves acclimating to a new environment, language, and country.
Ferrari's primary goal will be to integrate Hamilton into the team swiftly, ensuring he's fully prepared for their title bid in 2025. Before finalizing his contract, Hamilton made a secret visit to Maranello, much like Carlos Sainz did before his switch from McLaren in 2021.
Ferrari has already planned two tests for Hamilton in January, prior to the pre-season testing in Bahrain. The first of these tests will take place at their private Fiorano circuit, though they may relocate to Mugello or Imola depending on weather conditions. Additionally, Hamilton could take part in a 2026 Pirelli tire test, which would serve as an opportunity for him to familiarize himself with the technical aspects of the new 2026 regulations.
Emerson Fittipaldi has weighed in on the matter, stating that the entire nation of Italy is set to “stop” to witness Hamilton’s debut with Ferrari. The Brazilian, a two-time F1 champion, predicted that all eyes will be on Hamilton as he takes to the track in the iconic red car. While Ferrari is aiming to avoid turning this debut into a “media circus” in order to minimize distractions for Hamilton, Fittipaldi's comments suggest that the attention surrounding his first drive will be nothing short of monumental.
Emerson Fittipaldi stated that Ferrari was making a strong comeback, adding that it was easy to imagine Lewis Hamilton driving for Ferrari next year. He predicted that the entire country of Italy would stop on Sunday to watch Hamilton drive the Ferrari.
Fittipaldi also noted Hamilton's motivation, saying that joining Ferrari presented a major challenge. He mentioned that every driver dreams of racing for Ferrari, and Hamilton's move was a significant step in his career. Fittipaldi emphasized that at this point in Lewis Hamilton's life, being able to join Ferrari under the leadership of Frederic Vasseur, who had previously been his team principal in Formula 3 and Formula 2, was a powerful combination. He suggested that the reunion with Vasseur would provide an exciting challenge.
Looking ahead, the two-time F1 champion expressed his anticipation for the next season, predicting that it would be a thrilling time for Hamilton and for Formula 1, especially as the competition was becoming increasingly fierce.
What Sebastian Vettel has shared about Lewis Hamilton's new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, provides valuable insight into what Hamilton can expect in his transition to Ferrari. As previously mentioned, Hamilton will need to adjust to a new team environment and personnel after Peter Bonnington, his longtime race engineer and close friend at Mercedes, chose not to follow him to Ferrari, ending a 12-year partnership.
Adjusting to new surroundings and building relationships with unfamiliar team members will be a challenging process for Hamilton. However, it seems the seven-time world champion is already somewhat familiar with his 2025 colleagues. Hamilton was seen greeting Ferrari mechanics in Italian during his appearance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, signaling his intention to immerse himself in the new team culture.
Hamilton's race engineer at Ferrari is set to be Riccardo Adami, an experienced figure in the paddock who has worked with both Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz. The Italian's extensive background in Formula 1, combined with his familiarity with Ferrari's inner workings, positions him as a valuable asset for Hamilton as he embarks on this new chapter.
Hamilton has already reached out to Vettel, seeking his opinion on Adami and how best to form a strong working relationship. Vettel's positive feedback and high regard for Adami, particularly his deep-rooted connection to Ferrari, will undoubtedly offer Hamilton some reassurance as he looks to make his move to Maranello a successful one.
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