Lewis Hamilton admits that arriving at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix this weekend feels completely different forward of his transfer to Ferrari in 2025.
The seven-time world champion introduced his transfer to the Italian staff forward of the beginning of this 12 months, leaving Mercedes after 12 seasons. This weekend’s race at Monza is his remaining grand prix in Italy earlier than turning into a Ferrari driver, and he says he has observed a unique reception to that of years previous.
“I’m not going to lie, it undoubtedly does really feel a bit of bit completely different,” Hamilton stated. “I imply, it all the time feels particular if you come right here. We’re coming right here at an honest time by way of, the climate’s unbelievable, clearly the massive adjustments that made to the observe, however… there’s all the time such unbelievable ardour all through Italy, simply within the tradition on the whole, however notably about racing.
“And it’s all the time thrilling to see the followers that we’re going to see all through the weekend. The eagerness right here and the joy that they actually convey to this race is admittedly not matched in too many locations.
“I imply, I don’t know what to anticipate. If I’m sincere, over the previous couple of years, I’ve had a very heat welcome each time I’ve come. There was one time after we have been actually preventing towards Ferrari. I can’t bear in mind what 12 months that was, however even then, folks have been constructive. There was by no means any negativity.
“I feel over the previous few years, I’ve heard ‘Viene in Ferrari’ [come to Ferrari]. I heard that quite a bit, so it’ll be fascinating to see how that’s this 12 months. However already in Imola, for instance, I obtained a very heat reception. And there was this superb image of me, [Charles Leclerc], and Fred [Vasseur].”
The image in query was of the 2025 Ferrari line-up depicted as saints, and Hamilton stated he’s wanting ahead to connecting with the staff’s iconic fanbase.
“Truthfully, I’m tremendous excited,” he stated. “Yearly, having coming right here and if you’re on the rostrum and seeing the tifosi all the best way all the way down to Flip 1… And all through the world, to be sincere. I’m actually wanting ahead to connecting with that group and being on the journey with them as we work in the direction of taking the staff forwards.”
Hamilton’s seat appears prone to be taken by Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will participate in FP1 on Friday, and the driving force he would change believes the 18-year-old could be the precise choose for the staff.
“I stated a very long time in the past that I feel that’s who the staff ought to select shifting forwards,” Hamilton stated. “Time will inform what they find yourself deciding to do. He’s a kind of younger, super-talented youngsters that’s come by. I imply, he’s a younger grownup now. However he’s solely 18. So I feel it’d be good for folks to recollect he’s simply turning 18, and he’s obtained a brilliant future forward of him.
“I’m actually excited to see and watch his progress. I noticed an image earlier on of us again in, I feel, 2018, and he was one of many grid youngsters! And I’m shaking his hand on the entrance of the grid! So it clearly reminds you ways outdated you might be when you could have these experiences. However yeah, wanting ahead to seeing his progress and his journey by into Formulation 1.”
