Hamilton in Monza with an F40
Lewis Hamilton thought of every detail before showing up in Monza for his second Italian Grand Prix as a Ferrari driver. The seven-time world champion had explained in recent days the special bond with the F40, then the coup de théâtre with his arrival at the Autodrome precisely at the wheel of this historic model, restored for the occasion.
Hamilton chose the Monza stage to present himself Thursday morning at the wheel of his new Red, turning his arrival at the Autodrome into a declaration of love for the Prancing Horse. And in the press conference, he explained his choice.
Hamilton’s words about the F40
“It’s a dream car for me, I had been looking for one for a long time. I wanted one that also had some mileage, that had a story. Several were sold at some auctions in recent years. Maybe some that had mileage, but were not particularly special, or they were repainted,” Hamilton explained.
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“Then I found this car, the owner had bought it in Maranello and had driven it for 69 kilometers, before parking it and never using it again. It still had the dust. It took a while to decide whether to keep it like this with this style or clean it up, but I also wanted to drive it. No Ferrari driver in history has ever arrived here with the most beautiful and iconic Reds. So I told myself I had to do it,” he added. “The car has stood the test of time, I didn’t have to change anything, everything still worked. And when they checked the engine, they discovered that the number 44 was stamped. I couldn’t believe it, it really seemed like fate. I thought it was a real opportunity to highlight Ferrari’s history in its country, in its race. I don’t know if I’ll ever have the chance to do it again.”
Hamilton’s love for the F40 emerged from the very first day in the Scuderia. That was in fact the model with which the Englishman posed for the first time in front of Enzo Ferrari’s house.
