Ahead of dream move to Ferrari F1, Lewis Hamilton feels embrace of tifosi at Monza

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MONZA, Italy — As a five-time winner of the Italian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton knows what it’s like to stand on Monza’s iconic podium after taking the chequered flag.

The podium at Monza hangs above the pit wall, giving the top three the chance to look out at the thousands of fans who flood the straight after the Grand Prix, waving flags and chanting in celebration of their success.

It’s an emotional, evocative moment, no matter which team you race for. But as a Ferrari driver in the home of his loyal tifosi fan base, with an atmosphere found nowhere else on the F1 calendar, is extra special.

The Italian national anthem sends the crowd in Monza into raptures as it is played to celebrate a home win for Ferrari. The team has won at the circuit 20 times, but only once in the past decade.

Even when he raced for rival teams McLaren and Mercedes, Hamilton always felt welcome at Monza. “There was one time when we were really fighting against Ferrari,” he said on Thursday. “Even then people were positive. There was never any negativity.”

This year’s Italian Grand Prix is ​​a different one for Hamilton. His first visit to Monza since announcing his shock move to Ferrari for 2025 in early February will give him the chance to really connect with a tifosi already buzzing with excitement about the arrival of one of Formula 1’s all-time greats in a few months’ time.

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“I’m not going to lie, it definitely feels a bit different (this year),” Hamilton admitted. “It always feels special when you come here. There’s always such an incredible passion throughout Italy, just in the culture in general, but especially when it comes to racing.

“It’s always exciting to see the fans that we’re going to see all weekend long. The passion and excitement that they really bring to this race is something that you can’t really match in a lot of places.”

The tifosi – the name derives from the Ancient Greek ‘typhos’, after the smoke that ancient Olympic fans experienced around a campfire after a victory – have established themselves as Formula 1’s most vibrant, passionate fan base and have become an integral part of Ferrari’s rich history. While the iconic Ferrari red adorns grandstands around the world, there is a unique, moving impact when it graces the stands at Monza. Italy and Formula 1 will always be closely linked. But here, there is only one team that really matters.

Hamilton has been on the podium at Monza before, but never in Ferrari red. (Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

“It’s such a special feeling because you can really see and feel the passion of the tifosi and all the people who travel to Monza for Ferrari. You can see and feel how much it means to them to actually be here,” said Charles Leclerc, who took Ferrari’s most recent Monza victory in 2019.

“Even when they see the mechanics or the engineers, the tifosi are so happy. They don’t just support the drivers, they support Ferrari as a whole and every team member. It’s a special experience for everyone in the team.”

After announcing his decision to leave Mercedes, Hamilton said he had always dreamed of one day donning the red Ferrari racing suit, to feel the thrill of racing in the red cars. It was a move that many Ferrari fans dreamed of too.

“Over the years I’ve heard… is it ‘wine-ay “Ferrari? How do you say ‘come to Ferrari’?” Hamilton asked, turning to Leclerc, his team-mate for 2025. Leclerc corrected him to “vieni Ferrari”.

“I’ve heard that quite a lot,” Hamilton added. “So it will be interesting to see how it is this year.” Hamilton admitted his Italian is still as rusty as it was when he raced go-karts in Italy as a teenager.

Hamilton has already gotten a taste of what Ferrari fans can expect at races this season. “There’s been a few people asking me to sign Ferrari caps, and I thought, ‘No, no, it’s too early, it’s too early!'” he said. “They’re trying to get ahead of the competition! But of course I’ve signed a few caps.”

His first real encounter with the tifosi since the Ferrari move was announced came at Imola, the opening race of the year in Italy in May. While it doesn’t carry the same significance as Monza, the country’s annual F1 pilgrimage, it was still a chance for Hamilton to understand how Ferrari fans would embrace him.

“I had a very warm welcome,” said Hamilton, before turning back to Leclerc: “There was this great photo of me, you and Fred (Vasseur) – did you see it?”

“Like saints?” Leclerc replied, laughing with Hamilton as he remembered seeing the same poster.

Sir Lewis: “this is so good…I NEED TO MAKE MY HAIR OUT LIKE THIS” 😭😭😭😭

he saw it boys 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️#F1 #ImolaGP photo.twitter.com/CcRBloVJXE

— sim (@sim3744) May 18, 2024

The floodlights at Monza have their drawbacks, too. From the moment the Ferrari drivers leave the paddock, they attract fans like magnets. Even when Leclerc emerged from the Ferrari garage on Thursday night to take a lap of the track, he had to carefully weave around fans who followed him through the pit lane, taking photos and trying to pose for selfies.

“It’s hard to get in and out of the hotel every morning and every evening, but it’s a very special feeling,” Leclerc said, admitting that the extra commitments could make for a “tiring week” in Monza, but the support made it all worthwhile. “It motivates us to the max,” Leclerc said. “But Lewis will experience that next year and we will experience that together. I’m sure it will be a special year.”

It is an experience Carlos Sainz will have for the last time this weekend. When he returns to Monza next year, he will be racing for Williams after being collateral damage in Hamilton’s move. While the tifosi will still be cheering for a driver who has been a vital part of Ferrari’s recent history, the feeling and focus will undoubtedly be different for Sainz. It is that knowledge that has prompted him to ensure he takes the time to fully appreciate this weekend.

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“I’m really trying to enjoy it as much as possible, embrace the feelings and be present,” Sainz said. “Before I came here this weekend I tried to stop for a moment, look around and say, ‘OK, I’m a Ferrari driver with options for a podium or a win this weekend if everything goes well’, and try to enjoy that moment, the moment with the tifosi.”

That connection with the fans is something Hamilton has always used as a source of strength during his F1 career. From next season, ‘Team LH’ and the tifosi will be united.

“I’m super excited,” Hamilton said. “Every year, when you’re here and you see it, you’re on the podium and you see the tifosi all the way to Turn 1.

“I don’t really know what to expect. But I’m really looking forward to connecting with that community and going on this journey with them as we work to move the team forward.”

Top photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images