Enzo Ferrari’s son Piero has detailed Lewis Hamilton’s long-standing desire to race for the Maranello-based Formula 1 team.
Hamilton arrived in Maranello as a Ferrari driver for the first time last week, calling it a “dream.”
He embarks on this new journey after 12 years with Mercedes, but his remarks have been consistent, Hamilton has long-held a passion for the Scuderia.
In conversation with Italian publication Autosprint, Piero Ferrari revealed he first met with Hamilton over a decade ago.
“The first time he came to us was when he bought LaFerrari, it was 2014, he spent a lot of time in the factory studying how to customise it,” he said.
“Then towards evening he said hello and I asked him if he wanted to stay for dinner with me.
“He was enthusiastic and I discovered a truly pleasant person, out of the ordinary.
“He came back other times, speaking mainly with the people in charge of the commercial part.”
The blockbuster announcement that Hamilton would race in red came on the eve of the 2024 season, but Piero Ferrari said that “several times” he spoke with Hamilton over the years about a move to Maranello before the stars aligned.
“Over the years we talked and joked, here and there,” he said.
“Several times he expressed to me his desire to race with us, but he was tied to Mercedes and we were tied to our drivers.
“Then the moment came when both Lewis and we saw the opportunity to start negotiations. And the signature arrived”
Piero Ferrari not concerned by Hamilton’s age
Hamilton, having recently turned 40 is a Grand Prix veteran in the truest sense and his qualifying struggles last year suggest he’s no longer at his peak.
Only three F1 drivers have won a world title in their forties, Juan Manuel Fangio, Giuseppe Farina and Jack Brabham and only nine have won a race in their fifth decade.
Piero Ferrari isn’t concerned by this, having seen Hamilton is still in “good shape.”
The Ferrari founder’s son said “[Hamilton] is healthy, he is in good shape both physically and mentally, I don’t think age is a problem at all.
“He accepted the challenge with great enthusiasm,” he added.
Even if Hamilton isn’t at his peak, he is still amongst F1’s elite operators and his record speaks for itself.
The all-time F1 race-winner, pole-sitter and joint-record holder of seven world titles is one hell of a pedigree to bring to Ferrari.
“Seven world titles mean the awareness of reading the races,” said Piero.
“Lewis brings to Ferrari a huge experience, he is a professional at the highest level, he knows how to win races, he has the right pressure to try.”
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