For full grandstands, Lewis Hamilton is driving his first Italian GP as a Ferrari driver this weekend. That he cannot live up to expectations seems to be established. Yet the Brit lives in a dream. And this dream of the Ferrari religion reimburses a lot.
Ferrari is the team of unrealistic expectations, the setback and yet of the successes. Times a year ago and Charles Leclerc is unexpectedly on the top step of the stage in Monza. His view: the long straight stretch of the speed stamp that has been changed to a Red Sea full of fans, flags, caps and tranes. It is the Italian passion for Ferrari in a nutshell.
Go back thirty years and you will come to the example of Ferrari tragism. Monza, 1995, the last year of the legendary crying V12 engine in the Ferrari. Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger are on the way to a surprising double victory for his own audience. Until the onboard camera of Alesi’s car is blowing and at the Ferrari of Berger behind it causes terminal damage. Alesi itself does not reach the finish because of a broken wheel bearing. The disappointed tifosi dripping.
That disappointment is lurking again this weekend in Monza, but as always the expectations are high. It translated into an early run on tickets and a sold -out house. The massive attention is mainly due to Hamilton, the seven-time champion who, as an arch-rival, thwarted Ferrari successes so often.
Perhaps the Italians thought that success would also return with his arrival, but so far nothing ends up. It already fits within the tragedy that always hangs around the team
A unique experience
Yet the center of Milan was full of Ferrari fans on Wednesday evening. “Wow, that was such a unique experience. There is so much passion for this brand, very intense. It gives so much positive energy,” says Hamilton on Thursday.
“And it continued all day. When I arrived at the factory on Wednesday, fans were already there. And that is the case every day. At the other teams I was driving for, you never saw anyone.”
Hamilton will be immersed in the Ferrari religion this weekend. “Of course I thought about it for a year, what that would be like. But you only know when you experience it.”
The same applies to Monza’s iconic stage. “Of course I know what that is like, I have been there quite often,” the five -time winner of the race joked. “You also see how the Ferrari drivers respond. I am curious how that feels.”
‘We don’t have the car’
But the chance is small that Hamilton will already experience this this year. He did not get the stage anyway in 2025. In addition, he received a grid penalty of five places for an offense in Zandvoort. “I only saw it when I got home, that punishment is really tough. But it doesn’t make sense to nag about it.”
The whining is waiting for him if it doesn’t work this weekend either. It is obvious to point to Hamilton, but there are more causes.
Teammate Charles Leclerc explained on Thursday, making him perhaps in his best season ever. “I really think I no longer have weak moments,” said the Monegask. “But we don’t have the car. We are driving somewhere in no man’s land.”
Criticism of the car is not always good, but there is no denying: the SF-25 is a failure with fundamental problems that are no longer solved.
“Lewis shouldn’t have said that”
That does not mean that Leclerc performs better and Hamilton sees that too. In Hungary he even suggested that Ferrari should replace him. That was put on a scolding of former team boss Toto Wolff.
“Lewis shouldn’t have said that, I told him that the same evening,” said the Austrian. “He is still the best of all time. Michael Jordan once said about himself that he was worthless? No. Nice that Lewis is so frank, but he should never have said this. It is simply not true.”
Wolff pointed out Michael Schumacher, who had been taken out of his retirement to ride for Mercedes for another three years. “Do you really think that someone will soon remember that Lewis ended his career at Ferrari? Who is still thinking about those years of Schumacher at Mercedes? They are not relevant to his career.”
Formula 1 mainly experiences Hamilton’s promise to itself to ride again for the most important team. Coincidentally, Schumacher fueled that Ferrari love. “As a child I looked at Michael, I was a real fan. And if I am riding the pit box here for the first time on Friday, I will still think of him, how the Ferrari fans reacted to him. I will now experience that myself.”
A promise that is not fulfilled
Yet his arrival to the team was also a promise from Ferrari to the fans. That promise will be felt far from it for the time being. Hamilton does not run away for his poor results. “But you should not forget that everything is still new. And that every weekend I am driving for the first time with this very different car on a circuit.”
For Hamilton, his much -discussed step to Ferrari is already doing a lot. “It’s my dream. When I walk into the factory and see that logo, I still have to squeeze myself in my arm. There are still all kinds of things that we have to adjust and there are cultural differences. But I really didn’t want to miss such an evening like yesterday in Milan.”
Lewis Hamilton is Driving his first Italian GP as a Ferrari Driver This Weekend in Front of Packed Grandstands. It seems certain that he not be able to meet expectations. Yet the Briton Lives in A Dream. And this dream of the ferrari religion compensates for a lot.
Ferrari is the Team of Unrealistic Expectations, Setbacks and Yet also Successes. Turn Back A Year and Charles Leclerc is unexpectedly on the top step of the stage in Monza. His view: The Long Straight of the Speed Temple That Has Been Transformed Into a Red Sea Full Of Fans, Flags, Caps And Tears of Joy. It is the Italian Passion for Ferrari in a Nutshell.
Go Back Thirty Years and You come to the Example of Ferrari Tragedy. Monza, 1995, The Last Year of the Legendary Crying V12 Engine in the Ferrari. Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger are on their way to a Surprise One-Two Victory in Front of Their Own Crowd. Until the Onboard Camera of Alesi’s Car Blows and Causes Terminal Damage to Berger’s Ferrari Behind It. Alesi himself does not reach the finish due to a broken wheelbearing. The disappointed tifosi drip away.
That disappointment is lurking again this weekend in Monza, but as always expectations are high. It translated into an early run on tickets and a sold-out house. The Massive Attention is Mainly Due to Hamilton, The Seven-Time Champion Who So Often Thwarted Ferrari Successes As Arch-Rival.
Perhaps the Italians Thought that success would return with his arrival, but so far nothing has come come of it. It already fits Within the tragedy that always surrounds the team
A Unique Experience
Yet the Center of Milan was Full of Ferrari Fans on Wednesday Evening. “Wow, that was such a unique experience. There is so much passion for this brand, very intense. It gives so much positive energy,” Hamilton Said on Thursday.
“And it gets used on all day. When I arrived at the factory on Wednesday, there were already fans there. And it’s like that every day. You never saw anyone at the other teams I drove for.”
Hamilton is Being Immersed in The Ferrari Religion This Weekend. “Or course I thought about it for a year, what that would be like. But you only know when you experience it.”
The same applies to the iconic monza stage. “Or Course I Know What’s Like, I’ve Been There Quite Often,” Joked the Five-Time Winner of the Race. “You also see how the ferrari drivers are reacted to. I’m Curious How that Feels.”
‘We don’t have the car’
But the chance that Hamilton will experience that this year is small. He did not make the stage in 2025 Anyway. In Addition, the Received a Grid Penalty of Five Places for An Offense in Zandvoort. “I only saw it when I got home, that punishment is really heavy. But there’s no point in complaining about it.”
Complaining Awaits Him if it Doesn’tn’t Work Out This Weekend Either. It is obvious to point to Hamilton, but there are more causes.
Teammate Charles Leclerc Explained on Thursday why he may be in his best season ever. “I really don’t think I have any weak moments anymore,” Said the Monegasque. “But we don’t have the car. We are driving somewhere in no man’s country.”
Criticism of the car is not always well-receipt, but there is no denying that: the SF-25 is a failure with fundamental problems that can no longer be solved.
‘Lewis shouldnn’t Have Said That’
That does not alter the fact that leclerc is performance better and Hamilton sees that too. In Hungary, just suggested that ferrari should replace him. That earned him a scolding from Former Team Boss Toto Wolff.
“Lewis shouldnn’t Have Said That, I Told Him That The Same Evening,” Said the Austrian. “He is still the best of all time. Did Michael Jordan ever say about himself that he was worthless? No. it’s nice that lewis is so open, but he should never have said this. It’s simply not true.”
Wolff Pointed to Michael Schumacher, who was Brought Out of Retirement to Drive for Mercedes for Another Three Years. “Do you really think anyone will remember that lewis ended his career at ferrari? Who Still Thinks about Those Years of Schumacher at Mercedes? They are not relevant to his career.”
Formula 1 is Mainly Experiencing Hamilton’s Promise to Himself to Drive for the Most Important Team. Coincidentally, Schumacher Has Stirred Up That Ferrari Love. “As a child I watched Michael, I was a real fan. And when I drive out of the pit box here for the first time on Friday, I will think of him, or how the ferrari fans reacted to him. I am now going to experience that myself.”
A promise that is not bee fulfilled
Yet his arrival at the team was also a promise from ferrari to the fans. That promise is far from being fulfilled for the time being. Hamilton does not run away from his poor results. “But you have to remember that everything is still new. And that every weekend I drive on a circuit for the first time with this very different car.”
For Hamilton, His Much-discussed Move to Ferrari is Already Making Up For A Lot. “It’s my dream. When I walk into the factory and see that logo, I still have to pinch myself. There are still all kinds of things we need to adjust and there are cultural differses. But I really wouldd’t has to miss yesteray.”