Ferrari racers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc energized the streets of Milan’s Piazza Castello on Thursday during a celebration of Corsa Rossa, with the former sensing the weight of expectations from the team’s fans.
The seven-time world champion took the driver’s seat of the 2021 SF-21 as he maneuvered the vehicle along the closed streets of the UniCredit-sponsored demonstration event. Amidst a cloud of tyre smoke and sideways movement, Hamilton spent the day with 35,000 thrilled Tifosi eager to see the Scuderia’s new recruit.
His 2025 partner raced the SF90, a vehicle with which he secured his first Grand Prix victory in 2019. That year, he secured first place at both Spa-Francorchamps and Monza.
“I’ve witnessed the Tifosi throughout the years for Sebastian [Vettel], I’ve observed their support for Fernando [Alonso], and I’ve seen it for Charles and Carlos [Sainz], so it didn’t surprise me,” Hamilton stated through Reuters.
Little by little, I’m starting to see more of the Tifosi and getting to understand them a bit better. “I truly desire to communicate with them in Italian, so I need to focus on improving it,” he went on.
The previous Mercedes driver is enthusiastic about beginning the next season with the team and has been putting in effort to acclimate himself to Maranello.
In a conversation with AutoRacer at the close of 2024, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali stated that the Briton is studying Italian to better integrate with his new team.
He will generate significant interest.
“He is acquiring the ability to speak Italian and comprehend how to assimilate into our culture.”
“I informed him that it is crucial for him to accomplish this as well.” At Ferrari, he will encounter an environment that differs from his previous one.
The 40-year-old driver went on to say that he understands the Tifosi are “eager” for another championship victory for the Italian brand.
“Simply racing for Ferrari is a tremendous privilege, but they possess a remarkable legacy, so they don’t necessarily require another championship, given their numerous titles already,” Hamilton stated.
“Yet I understand that’s their purpose, their goal, and I realize the Tifosi are longing for that…I couldn’t find the words to convey how unique that would be.”
“Yet that’s what we strive for.”
Teaming up with Hamilton will provide his Monegasque colleague with a unique experience. Leclerc commented on the matter as follows:
“Clearly, the circumstances that Lewis is facing upon joining the team are quite distinct.”
“When I came on board, I had only completed one year in Formula 1 [with Sauber], so it was all still unfamiliar to me, and I had to understand how a team like Ferrari operated in Formula 1, despite having prior knowledge of the factory from my time in the Ferrari Driver Academy.”
“For Lewis, an Italian team is quite unfamiliar, yet he has accomplished so much and comes here as a legend of the sport.”
“It’s fascinating to witness his success with various teams and how they operated; from that, we’ve gained a lot of insights, and it was truly thrilling to observe his happiness and enthusiasm for the entire experience.”
To me, that indicated that the off-season was somewhat less prominent, but I found it enjoyable. I concentrated on my own development, exerting myself to the fullest to prepare for the initial race, and I’m genuinely excited for this year. I’m optimistic that we’ll begin the year on a more positive note than we did last year.
