In fairness, Corriere della Sera also notes that Hamilton's arrival is not the only significant development at Ferrari, describing it as “just the beginning of a revolution that began with the relationship with the boss.” [Fred] Vasseur” and adds that loyal technicians are also on the way.
While the joy that F1's most famous and successful driver has chosen Ferrari is obvious – a subheading speaks of Hamilton in terms of “courage, class and the dream of wearing red: the phenom chases his eighth title” – just like the majority of the rest of the sporting world, it was the shock of the move that dominated much of Italy's reaction.
In Il Messaggero, where Hamilton once again appears on the front page of the Rome-based daily, the first paragraph of the story that dominates the sports pages makes the point.
“A flash you don’t expect. A rare flower that seemed like it would never bloom again. The parable of Ferrari, the most prestigious and successful team in the three-quarter century history of Formula 1, and that of Baronet Lewis Hamilton, the driver with a cupboard full of trophies like no other, will truly intersect.”
Now I can't say that a flight from London to Rome before a rugby match in England – and therefore surrounded by more English people than Italians – is a fair example, as Hamilton's name was heard on board a few times, but given the fact That we are 250 miles south of Maranello, I would never have expected an open wave of Ferrari support in a football-loving city.
Hamilton is the Monza villain in the title fight with Vettel. With the news of his arrival in Maranello in 2025, the mood has changed
Peter J Fox/Getty Images
And yet, as I did my best impression of Football Italia-era James Richardson, sitting outside a cafe with several newspapers open to report Hamilton's move, it certainly sparked a nearby group conversation , who had been trying to find out what the strange English guy was up to.
Jean Alesi's column in Corriere della Sera says that Hamilton's signing is “a signal for the whole of Formula 1” and adds: “It will be an exciting duel with Charles,” and the last point is a reminder of how quickly this becomes a focus will develop into the future.
“I think what I as team boss – and all of us at Mercedes – have always tried to do is to be transparent and fair, and nothing will change that in 2024,” Toto Wolff said on Friday about how he will deal with this next year. “We owe it to our principles and our racing intent – how we operate – and we will respect that. And I'm sure the drivers will respect that.
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