For the first 18 years of his illustrious Formula 1 career, Lewis Hamilton was firmly rooted within British teams. He kicked off his career at McLaren, one of the UK’s most revered motorsport institutions, located in Woking, Surrey. His next move saw him join Mercedes, whose headquarters, though in Brackley, are still just 70 miles from McLaren. Despite Mercedes representing Germany on the podium, their base in Britain kept Hamilton’s career firmly connected to the country.
For many F1 fans, particularly British supporters, following Hamilton was a natural extension of supporting the homegrown talent. Throughout his career, he shared the garage with fellow Brits, including Jenson Button at McLaren and George Russell at Mercedes. However, this chapter of his journey took a dramatic turn when he signed with the Scuderia, the only major team in Formula 1 that does not have a base in the UK.
Unlike the other teams, Ferrari is based in Maranello, Italy, and is deeply intertwined with the country’s national identity. While teams like Sauber/Audi are shifting closer to the UK, Ferrari remains firmly rooted in Italy, with its racing heritage and passionate fanbase known as the Tifosi. Ferrari’s strong ties to their home country set them apart from teams like Red Bull, who, despite their Italian origins in Faenza, are increasingly aligned with their Milton Keynes headquarters in the UK.
In his new role, Lewis Hamilton has embraced the challenge of connecting with the Tifosi, learning Italian to form a bond with the team’s loyal supporters. Yet, despite his move to Ferrari, his connection with British fans remains unbroken.
Ahead of his first official appearance for Ferrari at the F1 75 season launch in London, Sky Sports F1 presenter Craig Slater noted something unexpected. Observing the scene, Slater pointed out the large number of British F1 fans wearing Ferrari merchandise, an uncommon sight given that Ferrari drivers like Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, and Michael Schumacher had long been rivals to British heroes.
The Sky Sports news reporter speculated that with Lewis Hamilton now joining the Scuderia, Ferrari’s popularity in the UK could soar. As the first British driver to race full-time for Ferrari since Eddie Irvine left in 1999, Hamilton brings a fresh wave of British fan interest to the iconic team. Many of the British driver’s loyal followers, who have supported him through his years at Mercedes, are expected to follow him to Ferrari. The divide between supporting drivers or teams has always existed, but Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is sure to shift the balance for many fans in the UK. He pointed out that there was something unusual to observe, noting that it was rare to see so many people in Ferrari colours in the UK. The Sky Sports F1 presenter suggested that, in the past, many of these individuals might have been seen wearing Mercedes clothing instead.
Lewis Hamilton has shared a simple but meaningful message with Ferrari fans after getting behind the wheel of their new F1 car for the first time.
On Wednesday, Hamilton had his first opportunity to drive Ferrari’s 2025 F1 car, marking a significant step in his career transition. Together with Charles Leclerc and team principal Fred Vasseur, he made his way back to Maranello from London in time for the car’s shakedown session.
Reflecting on his testing experience, Hamilton admitted that, unlike his time at Mercedes, he’s been enjoying himself more in the early stages. Despite a crash with the 2023 Ferrari during testing in Barcelona, the excitement of fulfilling a long-held dream hasn’t been diminished.
Following the filming day, Hamilton took to social media, posting ‘Grazie Tifosi’ as a heartfelt thanks to the passionate Ferrari supporters who had gathered to see him in action. The crowd at Maranello reminded him of the atmosphere surrounding his early days in testing, and once again, he took the time to greet the fans.
The official moment everyone is waiting for is 16 March, when Hamilton will make his Ferrari debut at the Australian Grand Prix. With high hopes for success, he aims to follow in the footsteps of Fernando Alonso by securing a victory in his very first race with the team.
