Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton made a striking entrance at the Monza circuit for the Italian Grand Prix, arriving in a modified Ferrari F40 valued at approximately £6 million. Hamilton, who joined Ferrari this season, expressed his ambition to become the first Black driver to win the prestigious race for the Italian team.
Hamilton's arrival was notable; he was dressed in a dark suit and a tan overcoat, carrying a black briefcase and driving the vintage Ferrari, a model that held significance from his childhood. The car, customized to his specifications, bears the race number '44' on its license plate. While its market value is estimated at around £6 million, its true worth is determined by what a buyer would pay.
A Historic Ambition at Monza
Hamilton, 41, acknowledged the immense pressure and significance of racing at Monza, a track where he has secured five victories, though none for Ferrari. He is currently 59 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes. "I didn’t even know that I was equal with Michael Schumacher on wins at Monza," Hamilton said. "But winning in Monza for the first time with Ferrari would be something else… If I did do that, I will be the only black driver to ever do that for Ferrari in Italy. A lot of those thoughts have been through my mind."
He drew a parallel to his teammate Charles Leclerc's 2019 victory at Monza, a race where Hamilton finished on the podium. "The pressure's high. Also, you want to deliver for the team," Hamilton added. "There are all those people at the factory, many of them get to come to this race. The Tifosi, who come out in huge numbers, and the passion is unmatched. You want to deliver for them as well."
Hamilton also noted the presence of his mother, Brenda, at the event, which he believes adds to the weekend's significance. "I don’t think she has been to Monza. It’s more special. I wanted her to experience this and bring any lucky dust she can."