Lewis Hamilton wows fans with Italian skills in unseen footage
When in Rome, or, if you’re Lewis Hamilton, Maranello. The British Formula 1 icon took no time at all to adapt to his new surroundings at the home of Ferrari and even showed off some Italian skills…
When in Rome, or, if you’re Lewis Hamilton, Maranello.
The British Formula 1 icon took no time at all to adapt to his new surroundings at the home of Ferrari and even showed off some Italian skills.
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Hamilton is finally a Ferrari driver and impressed on his first dayCredit: Scuderia Ferrari/Handout Photo/PA Wire
The seven-time world champion realised a boyhood dream of finally working for motorsport’s most iconic team, and his first day involved a photoshoot at their legendary factory near Bologna.
Ferrari teased an announcement a day earlier, and a number of excited fans turned up in hope of seeing their new hero, and their efforts were rewarded as he was where they hoped he’d be.
Hamilton got to know his new surroundings at the home of the iconic Enzo Ferrari, meeting staff and later his new fans.
The 40-year-old met those who’d risked the trip, and then impressed with some unexpected language skills.
Hamilton let out a ‘come stai’ (how are you) and a ‘tutto bene’ (everything okay) and those around responded glowingly.
He also impressed fans on social media with one on Twitter/X writing: “He’s got Duolingo working on overtime,” and another added: “I didn’t think I could love him more!” while a third wrote: "I can't stop watching this."
In an official clip from Formula 1 he shows even more comfort speaking Italian, correcting a ‘buongiorno’ (good morning) to a ‘buona giornata’ (have a nice day).
In the clips he’s seen being introduced to staff by Ferrari CEO John Elkann, and he also looks delighted to be spending time with team principal Fred Vasseur.
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Hamilton and Vasseur worked together in GP2 before the Brit entered F1, and the Frenchman is said to have been integral in landing the superstar.
He’s also been key in taking the team back to the front of the grid, with Ferrari missing out on the constructors’ championship last season by 14 points to McLaren.
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Hamilton was absolutely beaming and will be even more if he can win races in redCredit: Getty
They were also well ahead of Hamilton’s Ferrari, and there’s hope the sport's most successful driver and team could now combine for a record-breaking eighth world drivers’ title.
Hamilton too has plenty of hope, given the beaming smile across his face throughout the clips of his first day.
Writing on Instagram later on, he said: “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. I couldn’t be happier to realise that dream today.
“Today we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together.”
In another post he added: “Day one. I’m grateful to John Elkann, Benedetto Vigna and Fred Vasseur for their trust in me and making me part of this family.
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“I’m so excited to start this new era and to meet and work with a hugely talented and inspiring group of people, who have been so welcoming.
“I’m dedicated to bringing everything I have to deliver for the team, the wider organisation and the fans.”
Both posts came in English and Italian, although it’s probably too early to think Hamilton wrote the second part…