Maranello mania: How Italy reacted to Hamilton's first Ferrari day
F1
Lewis Hamilton has now had his first visit to the Ferrari factory – but how did Italy react to F1's most successful driver joining its beloved Scuderia?
After arriving in a suit on his first day, Hamilton changed into his work clothes for day 2 at Maranello
If there’s one thing Italians appreciate as much as fast cars and food, it’s sartorial finesse.
And so it proved upon the release of the first images of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, decked out in a tailored suit – with red-soled shoes to match – posing dramatically in front of founder Enzo’s former house and one of his famous F40s supercars.
Just that single image sent Italy into what La Gazzetta dello Sport described as a “frenzy”, while Corriere dello Sport dubbed it “Lewis-Mania”.
Fervent Ferrari fans lined the Fiorano track and gathered outside the team base to greet their new hero, the apparent personification of Italy’s joy at Hamilton joining the Scuderia.
After a Maranello tour plus a meet and greet with Ferrari staff, the seven-time world champion came out to meet the loyal tifosi who had been waiting (im)patiently at the factory gates.
In reaction to the momentous occasion, Italy’s biggest national print titles both noted the historical significance of the day and approved Hamilton grasping its gravity too – particularly that he did so via the medium of a shirt and tie.
Hamilton poses outside Enzo Ferrari’s house next to an F40 supercar on his first day at the factory
Ferrari
“Lewis Hamilton’s landing on Planet Maranello could not have been banal,” said the Gazzetta.
“Form, in these cases, is substance. Lewis knows it well. He is a rock star destined to make headlines even when he is not in the cockpit of a single-seater.”
“As soon as Lewis Hamilton entered, he already took the keys to the kingdom,” hummed Corriere della Serra.
“Like when four years ago in Windsor Castle he received the title of baronet from Prince Charles (Queen Elizabeth was still alive), an elegance that coincides with respect. For the solemnity of the occasion, for the history that surrounds it, many inside Maranello were surprised when they saw him arrive like that,” it added approvingly.
The tifosi greets Hamilton after his first day at the new office
Ferrari
La Repubblica confirmed that no one in Italy is taking things lightly: “Hamilton to Ferrari, the era of the Maranello knight begins.”
The cinematic stills taken of Hamilton at Maranello by artful snapper Andre D Wagner have been pored over by the press and fans alike as soon as they were released – what did it all mean?
Seven windows of Enzo’s house in shot to signify each of Hamilton’s world titles? The F40 to match his recent 40th birthday?
Luckily, Corriere della Serra had us covered with its headline “Hamilton: the choice of the dress, the secrets of the first photo, the greeting in Italian. Why he already has the Ferrari in his hand.”
Meeting the new team mates
Ferrari
The Gazzetta might have generously jumped the gun slightly by declaring “Hamilton already speaks in Italian”, but the British star seemed to have the accent largely mastered with numerous utterances of “come stai” and “Forza Ferrari.”
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The moodily inclement weather was seized upon by the Italian press too – its new hero (born of Stevenage, but now resident of Monaco and Colorado) would be enjoying a bit of precipitation, surely?
“Rain, cold and a bit of fog. Lewis Hamilton must have felt at home in a decidedly English climate,” commented Il Messagero.
It would take more than the weather to dampen the spirits though, as the Corriere dello Sport noted hotels in numerous surrounding towns were sold out to fans hoping to catch a glimpse: “Lewis-mania has begun, and it promises to be an unstoppable wave,” it said.
But then, to the task in hand: there’s a championship to be won. Can F1’s most successful driver bring a drivers’ title home which has proved elusive since 2008, when he won his first against the Scuderia’s Felipe Massa?
Taking in the new surroundings
“Hamilton, finally Ferrari!” gasped the Corriere as it addressed the most pressing matter in a video feature. “To break a taboo that has lasted 6,302 days.” Not that they’re counting or anything.
The Gazzetta expanded a bit more via print: “Last year Ferrari fought until the last race with McLaren for the constructors’ title and this time there could be an opportunity to also chase the drivers’ world championship, which has been missing since Kimi Räikkönen’s 2007 triumph. Therefore Hamilton and the Cavallino are already lining up in pole position.”
