Just now: Ferrari reveals surprise timing of first Hamilton’s…read more

Ferrari reveals surprise timing of first Hamilton’s…read more

Piero Ferrari, the son of Ferrari’s legendary founder Enzo Ferrari, has recently shared a fascinating piece of history regarding Lewis Hamilton’s connection to the Maranello-based company. Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season on a multi-year contract, has long admired the brand, and this move marks one of the most significant transfers in Formula 1’s storied history. His arrival at Ferrari places him alongside some of the sport’s all-time greats, such as Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, and Sebastian Vettel.

On January 20, 2025, Hamilton made his first official visit to Ferrari’s headquarters as a driver for Scuderia Ferrari. He was given a tour of the iconic facility and even visited Enzo Ferrari’s house. During this visit, he took the opportunity to pose for photos with the legendary Ferrari F40, a car he has admired for years. While this was his first time visiting as a member of the Ferrari team, it wasn’t the first time Hamilton had been to the company’s headquarters. His initial visit occurred back in 2014, long before he was considering driving for Ferrari.

In 2014, Hamilton was still racing for Mercedes, and his visit to Ferrari at that time was unrelated to Formula 1 racing. Instead, he was at Ferrari’s headquarters to purchase one of the brand’s most exclusive vehicles, the LaFerrari. Hamilton spent considerable time at the factory, carefully examining the various customization options available for the car, making sure to personalize it to his tastes. After finalizing the details of his order, he was invited by Piero Ferrari to dinner. This was a unique opportunity for the two to converse outside the world of racing, and it was during this dinner that Hamilton’s character was revealed to Piero as something quite extraordinary.

Piero Ferrari recalled that, after Hamilton completed his car purchase, he invited him to stay for dinner. The two enjoyed a meal together at the renowned Cavallino restaurant, a historic location often associated with Ferrari. Hamilton, who had brought his dog along to the factory, seemed enthusiastic about the opportunity to sit down and chat. Piero remarked that the conversation ranged beyond cars, allowing him to discover Hamilton’s personality in a deeper way. It was during this dinner that Piero Ferrari noted just how “pleasant” Hamilton was, describing him as a genuinely “out of the ordinary” individual. The exchange seemed to be more than just a casual conversation about automobiles and racing.

Following this first visit, Hamilton continued to visit Ferrari’s headquarters several more times, though his interactions with the company were mostly focused on commercial matters rather than racing. It is interesting to note that despite his deep admiration for the Ferrari brand, Hamilton did not express any interest in the Formula 1 side of the company during his visits. When Piero Ferrari was asked whether Hamilton had ever shown interest in the Scuderia Ferrari F1 team, he laughed and simply replied, “No.” This detail adds an intriguing layer to the story, suggesting that Hamilton’s early fascination with Ferrari was not initially driven by a desire to join the team but rather by a personal admiration for the company’s cars.

These early interactions between Hamilton and Ferrari reveal the beginning of what would eventually evolve into a much deeper connection. The fact that Hamilton, who was a Mercedes driver at the time, did not show an immediate interest in the Scuderia F1 team may seem unusual in hindsight, especially given the legendary status of Ferrari in Formula 1. However, Hamilton’s visit in 2014 underscores the personal, car-centric admiration he had for Ferrari long before the prospect of him joining the team as a driver ever materialized.

Now, as Hamilton prepares to join Ferrari in 2025, his story with the iconic brand has come full circle. His long-standing admiration for Ferrari, combined with his incredible career achievements, has paved the way for this monumental move in Formula 1 history. Hamilton’s connection to Ferrari is more than just about his new role as a Scuderia driver—it’s the culmination of years of admiration for a brand that, for him, represents something more than just a r

acing team.