A little over a year ago Lewis Hamilton unexpectedly joined Ferrari, making his official first Scuderia visit and test runs in the past weeks. Enzo Ferrari’s son Piero recounted his first Italian moves, as well as his relationship with the former Mercedes driver and his ideas on how will 2025 be for the team in a lengthy interview with Autosprint.
A star is reborn
Ferrari was strongly surprised by all the love and support shown by fans during Hamilton’s first outing in Fiorano.
“I almost couldn’t believe it! All that true passion struck me. The people on the small bridge of highway looking at the track of Fiorano, filling the cycle pat, it was a love declaration. Beautiful.”
Asked whether he had been able to get a closer look at the newest Ferrari driver signing while he was taking his first steps in red, he replied positively.
“Of course, I had gone to say hi to him as soon as he stepped foot in Fiorano, to welcome him. He had seen from the windows of the car the fans waiting for him and he was happy and surprised.
“I was left surprised by the way he posed himself. I don’t remember any other driver as elegant on their first day in Ferrari. An impeccable full suit, the tie, like a model. Us managers, as an example we didn’t have the tie.”
Ferrari added that Hamilton himself had chosen the F40 as a companion for his first ever official Ferrari pic, shot in front of the Ferrari house in Fiorano where the Italian had grown up alongside his father, Ferrari founder Enzo.
“Because Hamilton rightfully regards it as an icon. So he wanted to be portrayed with his favourite car.”
Off-track friends
His first meeting with the seven-time World Champion took place over ten years ago in a completely different occasion, and was the beginning of a close bond:
“The first time he came to us when he bought the LaFerrari, it was 2014, he stopped for a log time at the factory to study how to customize it. Then at the evening he came to say hi and I asked him if he wanted to stop and have dinner with me.
“He was ecstatic, we spoke about cars but not only them and I found a really great person, out of the ordinary. We were at the Cavallino restaurant, he had his dog. He returned other times, mostly talking with the commercial referents.”
The duo resumed their chats during Hamilton’s early Italian days as well.
“(We talked about) everything, Lewis has wonderful memories of Lauda just like I do. We miss him, Niki was important both for him and for Ferrari.”
Ferrari and Hamilton both have varying interests which range widely from the sport world, touching common relations and even animals.
“But we have also talked about many other topics aside from the racing world. I like that Lewis isn’t only interested in Formula One. He also knows what’s going on in the world. And then he has this sensibility for animals.”
Finally time
Enzo Ferrari’s son had already brought up to Hamilton the idea of becoming a Ferrari driver multiple times in the past. However, 2024 was the first time the Brit was able to actually think about the offer.
“Over the years we have talked and joked about it, here and there. Many times he had manifested the desire of driving with us. But he was tied to Mercedes and it was the same for us with our drivers. Then came the moment in which both Lewis and Ferrari saw a spark to ignite the talks. And then came the signing.”
Interviewer Pino Allievi brought up the fact that Hamilton has joined the Italian Scuderia towards the end of his career, at the experienced age of 40, and raising question on the impact he will be able to have on Ferrari.
The Italian businessman however vehemently denied the fact that age could be a disadvantage neither for him or Ferrari.
“It’s true, but he is intact, he is in great shape both physically and mentally, I really don’t think age is a problem. He has accepted the challenge with great enthusiasm; thus, he is sure of his capabilities.
“Seven world titles mean the knowledge to read races. Lewis brings to Ferrari a huge experience, he is a professional at the highest level, he knows how to win races and has the right pressure to try doing so.”
2025 expectations
There was also room to discuss the potential of the new Ferrari challenger, set to unveil the SF-25 on the 19th of February.
“From the good way we have ended 2024 I can’t be anything other than moderately optimistic. 2025 will be a great and spectacular season, because we’re on the final page of a regulation which will close at the end of the season and everyone will perform at their max. Then in 2026 it will change.”
He discussed also the possible dynamics with new teammate, Ferrari’s homegrown talent Charles Leclerc, admitting that historically every driver’s first rival is his own teammate.
“For sure! It has always been like that between teammates, it’s part of the game. In Leclerc’s case there is also the generational change we’re witnessing in tennis with Sinner and other youngsters: the youth’s freshness versus the experience and solidity of their seniors. I am sure that the rivalry between Hamilton and Leclerc will advantage the both of them.”
