Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Scuderia Ferrari has dominated headlines all through the System 1 low season, sparking immense anticipation amongst followers and pundits alike.
As was anticipated, his first outing on the Fiorano circuit in Italy drew an enormous crowd, wanting to witness the seven-time world champion take his preliminary steps in Ferrari crimson. That spotlight will solely intensify when he arrives in Bahrain for pre-season testing, the place all eyes shall be on how rapidly he adapts to his new environment.
Through the three-day check on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit, Lewis Hamilton will cut up observe time together with his new teammate, Charles Leclerc. Whereas each drivers will obtain equal working in Ferrari’s 2025 challenger, Charles Leclerc’s deep familiarity with the group’s inside workings might give him an early-season benefit.
Nonetheless, Lewis Hamilton has already begun laying the groundwork to combine himself into the Ferrari ecosystem. After spending 12 years at Mercedes, he had an intimate understanding of each nuance inside that operation. Now, he faces the problem of immersing himself in a totally totally different surroundings—one steeped in custom and fueled by the expectations of Ferrari’s passionate fanbase, the Tifosi.
Whereas Michael Schumacher is now an icon at Maranello, his early years at Ferrari weren’t with out challenges. Profitable over the Tifosi is not any straightforward activity, however Lewis Hamilton has already made a placing gesture that might speed up his acceptance among the many followers and inside the group.
A just lately surfaced video reveals Lewis Hamilton delivering a speech in Italian to Ferrari staff, studying from his cellphone whereas being met with enthusiastic applause. This effort to embrace the tradition and have interaction straight together with his new colleagues is a major step in solidifying his place at Ferrari earlier than the 2025 System 1 season even begins.
An Italian media report revealed the main points of Lewis Hamilton’s speech, translating his phrases as a heartfelt message of gratitude. He expressed appreciation for the nice and cozy welcome he had obtained and shared his pleasure about starting this new journey with Ferrari. He described becoming a member of the group as a lifelong dream and conveyed his eagerness to start out working alongside his new colleagues.
Journalist Jose M. Zapico later identified on social media that this was one thing Michael Schumacher had by no means performed within the early years of his Ferrari tenure. He defined that Schumacher was not extensively preferred in Italy at first and was solely absolutely appreciated after leaving the group. Throughout his time at Maranello, he was typically referred to by impersonal and even unflattering nicknames, akin to “The German” and “Sochmacher.” In keeping with Zapico, Schumacher confronted criticism for by no means making the hassle to talk Italian, whereas Hamilton had at the very least taken the initiative to learn his speech from his cellphone.
Schumacher’s status throughout the early levels of his Ferrari profession had been complicated. A report from ESPN in 2001 highlighted the skepticism some Ferrari followers had towards him, even after he secured his first title with the group. On the launch of that season’s automotive, the German driver addressed the notion that he was emotionally distant. He defended himself by explaining that he was not the kind to placed on a efficiency for the cameras, insisting that feelings couldn’t be manufactured.
On the time, Michael Schumacher had been accused of missing the identical ardour for Ferrari as his teammate, Rubens Barrichello. The ESPN report described how he had beforehand been considered as “chilly and aloof,” a picture that started to shift when he broke down in tears on the rostrum at Monza the earlier yr. Schumacher later admitted that his emotions for Ferrari had at all times been robust, even when they weren’t at all times outwardly seen. He emphasised that his feelings have been actual, even when they weren’t publicly displayed, including that he had skilled each pleasure and sorrow in personal moments away from the highlight.
Notably, Michael Schumacher did communicate in Italian at that specific automotive launch, a gesture that was nicely obtained by the followers in attendance. Lewis Hamilton’s current effort mirrors that transfer, demonstrating his willingness to embrace Ferrari’s tradition. Whereas he could by no means want to attain fluency in Italian—provided that English stays the group’s main working language—his determination to talk in Ferrari’s native tongue has already been appreciated.
Now, his focus shall be on guaranteeing that his performances on observe additional strengthen his bond with System 1’s most passionate supporters within the months forward.
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