Lewis Hamilton has ruled out staying in the Maranello base of legendary Ferrari founder Enzo during his Formula 1 tenure in Italy.
Hamilton is the latest in a long line of F1 greats to don Ferrari red in what is a historic team-up of the most successful driver and Constructor.
Rumours emerged last year that Hamilton would be granted the extraordinary honour of residing in Enzo’s Maranello home during his stint with the Scuderia.
The hallowed ground has been preserved since Enzo’s passing in the late 1980s and Michael Schumacher was only ever granted limited residence, but Italian F1 commentator Carlo Vanzini suggested Hamilton would get preferential treatment.
Speaking to select media including Motorsport Week during the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November, Hamilton said he would visit, but never stay at Il commendatore’s legendary quarters.
“It was not something I was talking about,” Hamilton said.
“I look forward to one day getting to see the building and the legendary room because that’s still the same as when he was there.
“But no, I don’t think I would stay there.”
Ferrari and Hamilton set to embark on new adventure
Hamilton marked the new year with humble words on LinkedIn as his first turn around the sun in scarlet red began.
“Here’s to 2025 – a year of embracing new opportunities, staying hungry, and driving forward with purpose,” he said.
“Let’s make it one to remember: Andiamo.”
Ahead of his move to Maranello and amid his final Mercedes campaign winding down in 2024, Hamilton said “Of course [moving to Ferrari] really sparks motivation and it’s a dream scenario for any driver to have an opportunity like this.
“And I realise it’s a steep… I remember when I joined Mercedes, and it’s not an easy step to ever enter into a new team,” he added.
“And it takes time to build new relationships and learn the tools and everything.
“Coming into [2025] with that same focus, that same that I had when I joined Mercedes and with ultimately that leap of faith, I think is exciting and exhilarating.”
Departing Mercedes after 12 seasons at Brackley to head for Maranello is a big change for Hamilton, but according to F1 CEO Stefan Doemnicali, a former Team Principal for the Scuderia, the Briton is working hard to acclimatise.
“He is learning Italian to understand how to integrate into our culture,” Domenicali told AutoRacer.It.
“I told him it is also essential for him to be able to do that. At Ferrari, he will be in a different environment [than what he is used to].”
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