Ferrari to grant Lewis Hamilton a rare ‘privilege’ not seen since Michael Schumacher F1 era

Future Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton goals to surpass Michael Schumacher and grow to be Components 1’s first eight-time world champion as he prepares to affix the Maranello crew. At the moment, each drivers share the file with seven titles every, however Lewis Hamilton might etch his title in historical past by clinching his eighth championship in Ferrari colours.

This potential milestone holds a particular resonance, as Michael Schumacher’s legendary run of 5 consecutive titles from 2000 to 2004 made him practically synonymous with the Italian facet. Although Hamilton continues to be with Mercedes, he’s already setting the stage for this important transition. Former Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel cautions that Hamilton could face a “tradition shock” at Ferrari, given his total profession has been spent with British groups.

In preparation, Lewis Hamilton is studying Italian to higher combine into the Maranello crew tradition, a step Michael Schumacher discovered invaluable throughout his personal time with Ferrari.

Though Schumacher’s brother, Ralf, insists that Michael will at all times be “gentle years” forward of Hamilton no matter any future achievements, followers and analysts could view the comparability extra favorably for Hamilton if he finds success at Ferrari. Since Schumacher’s period, Ferrari has managed only one driver’s title, claimed by Kimi Raikkonen in 2007, and final gained the constructors’ championship in 2008. Whereas they’re nonetheless aggressive this season, a win might strengthen their long-standing rivalry with McLaren.

In a symbolic nod to Michael Schumacher, the British driver will comply with in his footsteps by residing within the historic house of Enzo Ferrari, the model’s legendary founder. This privilege has not been prolonged to any driver since Michael Schumacher’s tenure. In accordance with well-known Sky Sport Italia commentator Carlo Vanzini, who shared insights on Roberto Chinchero’s Twitch channel, Ferrari will grant Lewis Hamilton entry to Enzo Ferrari’s former house close to the Fiorano check monitor.

Whether or not Lewis Hamilton will reside there full-time or use it as a handy base for his work at Maranello stays unsure. At the moment residing in Monte Carlo, Lewis Hamilton might use this close by house to collaborate with Ferrari engineers whereas avoiding the fixed consideration of photographers and followers. Solely about 15 miles from the Fiorano monitor, this discreet residence will permit Hamilton the privateness to give attention to his work as he embarks on this subsequent chapter with Ferrari.

“Lewis will dwell in Enzo Ferrari’s home,” stated Carlo Vanzini. “He’ll have it as a base of help when he goes to Fiorano. Because the occasions of Michael Schumacher, no driver has had this privilege. I additionally assume it was the fitting alternative, as a result of I consider for a personality like Lewis, to maneuver publicly is already tough.”

Lewis Hamilton has remodeled remarkably over the course of his Components 1 profession, evolving from a proficient rookie with a fiery spirit right into a globally admired determine recognized for his talent, management, and impactful social platform. This alteration has been as a lot about private development as skilled success, a improvement that continues to impress his crew principal at Mercedes, Toto Wolff, who admires Hamilton’s dedication to “fixed self-development.”

Since his debut in 2007, Hamilton has matured effectively past the “considerably petulant” younger driver described by BBC Sport’s Jennie Gow. Over time, he has grow to be a revered ambassador of the game, wielding his affect each on and off the monitor to drive conversations on crucial points, together with range, sustainability, and social justice. Now getting ready to surpassing Kimi Raikkonen in race begins—making him second solely to Fernando Alonso—Lewis Hamilton’s legacy in F1 is undisputed.

His impending transfer to the Maranello crew in Italy has stirred pleasure throughout the trade. For Components 1’s business rights holders, Liberty Media, Hamilton’s arrival on the iconic Scuderia guarantees a brand new wave of consideration, including to the recognition surge already sparked by the Netflix sequence *Drive to Survive*. This high-profile switch is predicted to gasoline much more fan engagement, guaranteeing that Hamilton’s affect and story proceed to attract each long-time followers and newcomers to the game in 2025 and past.