Immense positivity has followed Hamilton’s Ferrari debut after 20 days of dizzying hype. The atmosphere in Maranello is similar to that which enveloped Schumacher’s first laps 30 years ago . “Things happen when they are meant to, even the world championship” said Marchionne at the time, who intervened decisively to hire the German Champion.
After a long time, Elkann became president of Ferrari in 2018 after the death of Marchionne. It seemed like an almost emergency phase, a transition, the grandson of the Lawyer did not exactly seem like a super fan of F1, or at least not like his grandfather.
And yet, slowly, the Ferrari of January 20 has entered a new era. It remains to be seen whether Elkann’s choices, including the replacement of Mattia Binotto with Fred Vasseur, will make this chapter a winning one.
Ferrari have wanted Lewis Hamilton, before but the necessary conditions for a move were not there . Mercedes was too dominant a car to be abandoned, especially given the work Lewis began in 2013.
After 2020, there was a very pleasant meeting between Elkann and Hamilton where they discovered that they had, as is known, a strong harmony thanks to fashion and research. Vice President Piero Ferrari met him several times over the years as a customer.
A series of firsts for Lewis Hamilton in Maranello
Lewis’s father, Anthony, has had lunch more than once at the famous Montana Restaurant, a cult place for fans, while for Lewis it was the very first time .
This detail may seem superficial, but this is also what creates cohesion between the team and its drivers. It is a unique setting, creating the empathy that only the Emilians know how to build.
After all, when you are in Maranello you immediately understand that half of the inhabitants work directly or indirectly for Ferrari. A place where you meet workers or engineers who go home on foot.
Of course there is a difference between seeing Ferrari from the outside and jumping in. Hamilton beat Vettel’s Ferrari during his time at Mercedes, meaning he often upset the Tifosi’s title hopes.
Just as with Schumacher, Alonso and Vettel, Hamilton is called to bring the World Championship back to Maranello.
Leclerc has the pure speed, and Hamilton brings basically everything else : the attitude, the mental resistance and the continuous search for perfection. These are things most drivers spend their entire careers chasing.
What matters is wanting to search for it every day desperately, no matter how many titles you have won. Being hungry for revenge after three years of suffering and positive emotions. Hamilton brought to Maranello those who know him best in the world, his family and Angela Cullen .
The emotion of his mother, Carmen, underlines how the human side still manages to prevail in what is still a show business.
Hamilton has already obtained the pedal changes he requested – which required a lot of work . H e used Leclerc’s steering wheel, acting as a baseline before he makes adjustments for his own preferences .
The next TPC test will serve as a key step for Hamilton and Ferrari’s harmony to arrive ready in Melbourne. The English knight was perceived almost as a superhero in terms of presence. He left a first strong mark among the men.
Charles Leclerc was celebrated by the fans, whilst also watching as a privileged spectator the first steps of his veteran colleague. It should be remembered that Leclerc was informed of Hamilton’s arrival long before it was announced. He was one of the very few, which says a lot.
Despite everything that can happen with this driver partnership, it is an opportunity for both.
Hamilton must deal with Leclerc’s speed, whilst Charles is well aware of Hamilton’s caliber . Surely both have the tools to move Ferrari forward. Sainz was also fast. However if, as is believed, Ferrari can produce a good 2025, Leclerc and Hamilton together form can raise the team’s level.
This will be necessary to overcome McLaren and Verstappen. These two main adversaries, perhaps fortunately, are not in the same boat.
