Piero Ferrari, son of founder Enzo, has compared the Maranello debuts of Formula 1 record holders Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.
Schumacher and Hamilton share the record for the most Drivers’ titles in F1, both achieving an extraordinary seven championships.
Their legacies have been connected further with Hamilton joining Ferrari, the team Schumacher helped revitalise into a world-beater.
The German joined the Scuderia in 1996, having won the last two championships amid a worrying slump for Ferrari.
Comparing Schumacher’s Ferrari arrival with Hamilton’s, Piero Ferrari told Italia publication Autosprint that “The situation was different, he had just won two world championships, there was a lot of pressure.
“Michael seemed cold to the general public, but with those who knew him closely, he was very friendly,” Piero added.
“I have always had a friendly relationship that has lasted over the years”
True enough, when Schumacher joined Ferrari, it hadn’t clinched the Drivers’ title since 1979 and the German was made to wait for his first title in red until 2000, starting a run of five consecutive championships.
In addition, when the German arrived in Maranello in 1996, Ferrari had won just two races across the previous five seasons.
Hamilton’s scenario is an altogether different prospect as the 40-year-old is in the twilight of his career having won his seven titles elsewhere.
Unlike Schumacher, who was approaching the peak of his powers in 1996, Hamilton’s best days are more than likely behind him, but he finds a Ferrari team in a similar title drought, which stretches back to Kimi Raikkonen’s 2007 success.
However, Ferrari is in a better run of form now compared to 1996.
2024 saw Ferrari clinch five race wins and miss out on the Constructors’ title by just 14 points.
Piero Ferrari recounts ‘beautiful’ reaction to Hamilton’s Ferrari debut
Hamilton arrived in Maranello for the first time as a Ferrari driver last week and completed his inaugural running of the Fiorano test circuit on Wednesday, January 22.
100s of adoring Tifosi descended on Fiorano and Piero Ferrari was overwhelmed by the reaction of the Scuderia’s loyal fanbase.
“I almost couldn’t believe it! All that true passion struck me,” he said.
“The people on the little bridge overlooking the Fiorano track, invading the cycle path, was a demonstration of love. Beautiful.”
The Italian added that he “Went to greet [Hamilton] when he set foot in Fiorano, of course, welcoming him.
“He had seen the fans waiting for him from the car windows, and he was happy, surprised,” Ferrari added.
The social media world was taken by storm with Hamilton’s first photo posing outside the legendary Ferrari headquarters of founder Enzo, Piero’s father.
Hamilton posed next to an iconic Ferrari F40, wearing a a double-breasted overcoat from Italian label Ferragamo, coupled with a black pin-stripe double-breasted suit and tie, and white shirt.
Completing the look, Hamilton wore red-soled leather Louboutin boots.
Piero Ferrari was impressed, saying: “From the way he presented himself. I don’t remember other drivers so elegant on their first day at Ferrari. An impeccable suit, a tie…
“We managers, for example, were without ties,” Ferrari exclaimed.
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