Since Ferrari’s announcement in early February 2024 confirming Lewis Hamilton’s move to the team, anticipation has been steadily building among the Tifosi. Excitement is at an all-time high as fans eagerly await the seven-time world champion’s debut in red.
Last season, Ferrari came agonizingly close to ending their long championship drought, and supporters are hopeful that either Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton can finally bring the title back to Maranello in 2025.
Charles Leclerc, long regarded as Ferrari’s golden boy, has been part of the team’s ecosystem for over half of his life. After rising through the Scuderia’s junior ranks and spending a single season at Sauber, he was promoted to partner—and ultimately outperform—four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. Now, with Hamilton joining the fold, Leclerc faces what could be his most formidable challenge yet.
Despite Lewis Hamilton’s struggles in qualifying last year, former F1 champion Damon Hill questioned whether the 40-year-old had lost his one-lap prowess. However, Hamilton himself has attributed the drop in form to Mercedes’ recent car designs not complementing his driving style.
Over the coming months, Lewis Hamilton will finally get his answer: was it the car holding him back, or has time caught up with him? Determined to hit the ground running, he has wasted no time immersing himself in Ferrari’s world, spending the past six weeks integrating with the team.
Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur has expressed high expectations for Hamilton’s arrival, but those pale in comparison to the enthusiasm of the fans. Thousands have turned out at every opportunity to welcome him, with a recent event in Milan offering a glimpse of just how much support he already commands. According to a report from German publication *Auto Motor und Sport*, the crowd in Milan was electrified as Ferrari’s newest star took center stage.
The British driver Thrills Ferrari Fans in Milan and Promises to Learn Italian
Tens of thousands of passionate fans gathered to witness the Briton and the Monegasque take to the streets of Milan, driving some of Ferrari’s iconic F1 cars. The event was a spectacle, with Lewis Hamilton showcasing his expert car control by performing precision doughnuts and maneuvering effortlessly through the city’s narrow roads.
One of the most memorable moments came when the Italian national anthem echoed through the streets, uniting the crowd in a powerful display of passion. Charles Leclerc, singing along, turned to Hamilton and playfully offered to teach him the lyrics in the future.
The British driver, embracing the Ferrari spirit, made a heartfelt promise to the fans: he will learn to speak Italian. This commitment only deepened the bond between Hamilton and the Tifosi, setting the stage for what could be one of the most thrilling seasons in recent Ferrari history.
Addressing the crowd, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion expressed how special it was to wear Ferrari red and take part in such an event, particularly while standing alongside the fans in front of historic cars, including those once driven by Michael Schumacher. He shared his excitement about getting on track with his new team, emphasizing that Ferrari had everything needed to compete for the World Championship. He also acknowledged the passionate support of the Tifosi, describing them as a key source of motivation for the team.
According to the report, Lewis Hamilton went on to assure Ferrari fans that he would learn Italian, a gesture that further endeared him to the passionate Tifosi. While he has already addressed Ferrari’s staff in Italian, he still relied on reading from his phone. Nevertheless, his effort did not go unnoticed, signaling his commitment to integrating fully into the team’s culture.
Charles Leclerc Can Gain Valuable Insights from Hamilton in Their First Season as Teammates
During the Milan event, Leclerc took the wheel of Ferrari’s 2019 SF90, while Hamilton drove the SF21 from the 2021 season. Neither of these cars were dominant in their respective years, and early indications suggest that the SF-25 may continue that trend. However, Ferrari’s 2025 driver pairing of Leclerc and Hamilton is arguably the strongest the team has fielded in decades. Their combined skill and experience could prove crucial in extracting the maximum potential from the car, even if it falls short of being the outright fastest on the grid.
F1 analyst Peter Windsor believes Charles Leclerc stands to gain significantly from Hamilton’s presence, potentially refining aspects of his driving that have hindered his ability to mount a sustained title challenge in the past. However, the Briton, a seven-time world champion, may need to be strategic in how much knowledge he shares, ensuring he retains a competitive edge over his younger teammate. Their dynamic will be one of the most intriguing storylines of the season, as both drivers aim to end Ferrari’s long wait for championship glory.
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