The shocking transfer news that broke on Thursday is definitely the hottest topic in Formula 1 at the moment. The clamour of the fulfilment of the seven times World Champion’s “childhood dream” of joining Ferrari has only increased over the span of the last few days that went by, with a number of prominent motorsport figures weighing in on Hamilton’s move.
Among the latest personalities to give their opinion on the matter is someone rather close to the Brit’s future home in Maranello, Piero Ferrari. Son of Enzo, the founder of the Prancing Horse team, Ferrari recalled his first ever meeting with the Mercedes driver in an interview with journalist Leo Turrini.
The Italian businessman mentioned the fascination Hamilton has always had for Ferrari, and especially its luxurious street cars: “Maybe not everyone knows that Lewis [Hamilton] has always been sensitive to the Cavallino’s charm. He is a client of ours, and has even visited multiple times our factory!
“He used to come in order to buy some of our cars. Not only he is a speed ace, he also truly loves supercars, and ours could never be missed in his garage.
“In particular, the LaFerrari model. Hamilton had come to Maranello to give the directions needed in the preparations of the car, and on the occasion we cordially met. He also told me something that impressed me.
“We had Vettel in our team, and we were pleased with Seb, who had recently renewed, the German was doing well. Lewis made a joke: If you guys had only waited twelve months I could have come…”
Asked by Turrini if the champion might have already been thinking about the move that was actually finalised years later, Ferrari denied: “I don’t think so, he had and still is having an amazing partnership with Mercedes.
“But obviously, as I was saying earlier, he’s never been indifferent to our history. He is also very devoted to the legend of motorsport, as a child his idol was Senna and in 2013 at Mercedes he replaced Michael Schumacher…”
The Ferrari shareholder is extremely pleassd with the signing: “Personally I’m very happy. A figure like Lewis is the perfect partner for the Ferrari myth.”
He also believes that he will get along well with his future teammate Charles Leclerc, who has recentlty signed a long term contract renewal with the Scuderia:
“No, Charles is a champion in the making, Ferrari believes in him and has shown it, I think. Hamilton is Hamilton, I don’t see why they should fight.”
The timing of the announcement had left many fans rather shocked, especially as the agreement will come in place only in 2025 and considering that current Ferrari driver and latest race winner Carlos Sainz will have to complete the full season while knowing he has no future at the team.
Ferrari however remarked that in Formula 1 it’s not that uncommon of a situation, citing a prime and successful example of it when defending World Champion Fernando Alonso announced in the winter break between 2005 and 2006 that he would be leaving Renault for McLaren in 2007.
“We’re talking about professionals, this kind of things in Formula 1 aren’t unusual. In 2006 at the beginning of the season Alonso announced that he was going to drive for McLaren in 2007, but in the meantime he competed and won the title with Renault,” he concluded his discussion with Turrini.
The Italian journalist also mentioned the possibility of Hamilton’s long term Race Engineer Peter “Bono” Bonnington moving to the Italian giants alongside the seven-time World Champion, crediting British sources.
