Source: REUTERS/HAMAD I MOHAMMED
[Saba Sports News] According to an interview
after the conclusion of the 2024 F1 pre-season test race, Lewis Hamilton, the
seven-time F1 world champion, revealed that he joined Ferrari because he was
influenced by Michael Schumacher. Hamilton stated that drivers who grew up
watching Schumacher race during Ferrari’s golden era often dream of racing in a
red F1 cockpit. He mentioned that he used Schumacher’s name when playing the
Grand Prix 2 game in the past. Hamilton also credited his successful
collaboration with Frederic Vasseur, the current team leader of the Ferrari F1
team, in the F3 and GP2 eras as an important factor in his decision to join
Ferrari. However, Hamilton disclosed that he has never been to Maranello, the
headquarters of Ferrari. Even when he purchased a Ferrari Lafa sports car as
his birthday present in 2010, he did not go to Maranello to pick it up, as he
was driving for Mercedes at the time and felt it would be inappropriate to
visit the headquarters of a rival team. Later, Hamilton sold the Ferrari Lafa
sports car as a sponsor. This sheds light on Hamilton’s motivation to join
Ferrari and his admiration for the team’s history and legacy, particularly
during the era of Michael Schumacher.