F1 | Lewis Hamilton speaks from the heart about Ferrari and his bond with Italy. Lewis Hamilton spoke to Ferrari Magazine about his deep emotional connection with Ferrari.

In an exclusive interview with Ferrari Magazine, Lewis Hamilton opened up about his life, his career, and the deep affection he feels for Ferrari. It was in early February 2024 when the motorsport world was shaken by a historic announcement: Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari would join forces starting from the 2025 Formula 1 season. It was a monumental moment — the most successful driver in F1 history (alongside Michael Schumacher) joining the sport’s most iconic and successful team. A partnership full of emotion and anticipation. Eighteen months later, it’s fair to say that the journey has been challenging, partly due to the limitations of the SF25 and partly because of the adaptation period the British driver has faced.

Yet, despite the obstacles, Hamilton’s love for the red color of Ferrari remains stronger than ever. When asked by Ferrari Magazine about the feeling he experienced the first time he climbed into the SF25, Hamilton replied: “When you get into a Ferrari, it’s love. You create a different kind of connection.” He then reflected on how his emotions have evolved throughout his career: “I’m at a different stage of my life now. I’m 40 years old, and I was 21 the first time I sat in a Formula 1 car. Back then it was ‘exciting,’ because I had fire burning inside me. But then, when I sat in a red car 20 years later, it was even more emotional.”

What the color red and Italy mean to Hamilton

When asked what the color red symbolizes for him, Lewis Hamilton said: “It’s so special here. Red is one of my favorite colors. Ferrari is history — its badge and what it stands for. The others are a little less… colorful.” But the British driver didn’t stop there. He went on to praise the Italian culture and its people: “It’s the language, the culture, the food. It’s the way Italians express passion for everything. Over the years, different cultures have intertwined and attracted people from all walks of life, but deep down, Ferrari is Italian.”

Speaking about the passion surrounding the team, Hamilton added: “Italians show their emotions more openly — for better or for worse, but mostly for the better, I think. You can see the passion every single day.”

The relationship with Niki Lauda

Of course, an interview about Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari wouldn’t be complete without mentioning his relationship with the late Niki Lauda. “When I arrived in Formula 1, Niki was part of a world that didn’t quite know how to adapt to my diversity. I heard negative things, but I always had admiration for him, being a three-time world champion,” Lewis Hamilton explained. A pivotal moment came in 2012 when Hamilton was searching for a new team: “Then, over the phone, he explained why I should come to Mercedes. And when we finally met, he told me he saw himself in me — because, like him, I was a racer through and through.”

Lewis Hamilton went on to share his admiration for Lauda’s fighting spirit, even during his illness: “He was a fighter until his last breath. It was incredible for me to see how hard he kept fighting. We used to send each other video messages, and right until the end he kept saying, ‘I’ll be back.’ I loved him for that.”