Lewis Hamilton, a future Ferrari driver (already) campaigning in Italy

Lewis Hamilton is set to experience a strange weekend in Italy. The seven-time world champion will ride for a rival team of the Team, but with the status of a future Ferrari driver. Sitting next to Charles Leclerc, the darling of the tifosi, in a press conference, the Briton has already launched his campaign for the next seasons by flirting with the Ferrari fan community as he does so well.

"I'm not going to lie, it's true that it's a little different (this year), he said. I mean it’s always special when you come here. As Charles says, there’s always an incredible passion throughout Italy, in the culture in general, but especially in racing, and it’s always exciting to see the fans here. The passion and excitement they bring to this race doesn’t have many equals.” Will he have to wait until next year to have his red jersey on his shoulders to be adulated at Monza, on a track where he has sometimes deprived former red idols like Fernando Alonso ou Sebastian Vettel of a few home wins?

Hamilton expects warm welcome

«I don't know what to expect, he explained. To be honest, in the last two years I have received a very warm welcome every time I have come. There was a period when we were really fighting against Ferrari. I don’t remember the year, but even then people were positive. There was never any negativity. In the last few years I have mostly heard “viene Ferrari”? (He turns to Leclerc) How do you say “come to Ferrari”?

"Vienna in Ferrari", the Monegasque whispers to him. He's going to have to work on his Italian lessons again! I have often heard this, these calls for me to come to Ferrari. So it will be interesting to see what happens this year. But already in Imola, for example, I received a very warm welcome. There was also a superb photo of me, you Charles and Fred. Have you seen it? "We were represented as saints, yes, I saw it" laughed number 16. The group is doing well for the moment, between the two future teammates.

Back to the Temple of Speed ​​🏎️

Which is your favorite memory of the #ItalianGP? #MuseiFerrari #Ferrari #Scuderia Ferrari pic.twitter.com/OemXHz81Q0

— Musei Ferrari (@MuseiFerrari) August 30, 2024

Italian courses to take

"My Italian is not very good, Lewis nevertheless assumes. It's probably at the same level as when I was in karting, and it was pretty bad. Some people asked me to sign Ferrari caps and I said: No, no, it's too early. They're trying to get ahead of themselves! But I signed a few caps anyway, obviously. I always look at the progress they make throughout the year in terms of image, and it's an incredible story they've had."

Lewis Hamilton though he is, he will never be as big as Ferrari in the hearts of the tifosi. They will therefore only wish for one thing: that the seven-time world champion be overtaken by Leclerc and by Sainz Sunday. As for next year, however, it will be a completely different story…

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