Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari in Maranello: this was John Elkann’s dream. As broadly anticipated, final Monday, the headquarters at By way of Abetone Inferiore 4 turned the middle of the world, not less than so far as motorsport is anxious. The British driver’s first “operational” day was a possibility to fulfill the workforce of the Prancing Horse, beneath the watchful eyes of the complete high administration of the purple crew. Current in full ceremonial vogue had been the main figures of the historic Maranello firm: President John Elkann, chief govt officer Benedetto Vigna, and Workforce Principal Frederic Vasseur.
The seven-time Method 1 world champion appeared visibly moved by the welcome and by discovering the internal workings of the corporate that not solely produces essentially the most well-known vehicles on this planet however is, within the sporting realm, the final word manufacturing unit of desires, no matter success on the observe. That success within the high class has been absent because the time when Lewis Hamilton was taking his first steps in Method 1, astonishing the world along with his rapid means to battle for the title as a rookie, competing in opposition to Fernando Alonso.
What is for certain is that every one the members of the Italian crew had been swept up by immense enthusiasm, which Ferrari will do every little thing to channel as a catalyst for the championship hopes of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, who was additionally discreetly current. Furthermore, Ferrari’s meticulous consideration to each single element in communication and picture highlights the dimensions of the occasion, in addition to the large expectations this partnership will inevitably be required to fulfill. Nothing much less was anticipated from this preliminary level of contact.
Instances change, as does the way in which of speaking with the surface world. We all know this properly. However, no Ferrari driver has ever been given such a welcome as a brand new arrival. In spite of everything, the Italian F1 crew had by no means signed a driver with so many accolades. Not even Michael Schumacher, when he arrived in 1996, had achieved Lewis Hamilton’s milestones. Essentially the most highly effective message of the day is subliminal but very clear to these conversant in the historical past of essentially the most adorned crew on this planet.
John Elkann’s presence, appearing nearly as a shadow for Lewis Hamilton at each step, at the same time as he greeted followers outdoors the Prancing Horse’s headquarters, “betrays” the inheritor of the Agnelli household’s need to assert (and remind everybody of) the parenthood of the signing of the British champion. Past the assured return on funding from the colossal advertising and merchandising equipment, with the “Lewis Hamilton deal” the grandson of lawyer Gianni Agnelli seeks to etch his title into the legendary historical past of Ferrari.
For these with a number of grey hairs, it’s properly remembered that the lawyer, a staunch Juventus supporter, was not accustomed to attending the foremost occasions of the purple crew. Nevertheless, he made an exception throughout the 1996 Method 1 racing marketing campaign when the primary Ferrari of Michael Schumacher, the not-so-competitive F310, was unveiled. On February 15, 1996, Gianni Agnelli hosted the occasion beneath a marquee arrange in Fiorano. He took the stage throughout Michael Schumacher’s first official look and, in his distinctive type, conveyed the magnitude of the funding and the excessive expectations.
“Definitely, Michael didn’t come to us for a crust of bread.” These had been the phrases of John’s grandfather. The present Ferrari president has little in frequent along with his illustrious ancestor. Nevertheless, the arrival of Lewis Hamilton looks as if a nostalgic try to retrace his grandfather’s footsteps. It undoubtedly sends a subliminal message to all managerial ranges of the Ferrari Racing Division: now that the Prancing Horse has a driver who has received in all places, greater than anybody else, there can now not be excuses for not seizing the Method 1 world championship.
The automobile should dwell as much as the seven-time world champion and Charles Leclerc, who, in his seventh season with the Italian crew, has a singular alternative: to win his first world title by defeating the motive force who rewrote Method 1’s information. Final Monday could be remembered because the day marking the daybreak of a brand new golden age for Ferrari or, at worst, one other grand imaginative and prescient with out a blissful ending. Those that care concerning the destiny of the purple crew hope to be on the daybreak of a brand new period of victories, no matter who will lead the historic Italian crew to success as envisioned by president John Elkann.
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