Lewis Hamilton has electrified the motorsport world with his heartfelt message directed at the passionate tifosi following his thrilling debut at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, where he donned the iconic red of Ferrari. The seven-time Formula 1 champion, who faced a daunting challenge starting from 10th due to a five-place grid penalty from the previous race in the Netherlands, fought valiantly to finish sixth, showcasing both his tenacity and the potential of his new team.
Despite not clinching a coveted podium position alongside his teammate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton radiated gratitude for the progress Ferrari has made. In a stirring thank-you message to his fervent fans, he expressed, “Solid progress in Monza, the penalty made a better result challenging, but I gave it everything. Thank you to the tifosi for bringing the passion.” His words resonated with the crowd, emphasizing the honor he feels competing for such a storied brand. “I’m so honoured to be driving for Ferrari and to be on the receiving end of the incredible love. A big thank you to everyone for all their hard work this weekend, and I’m grateful for the progress we’re making together. Grazie a tutti.”
Post-race, Hamilton reflected on the race with optimism, revealing that he believed a fifth-place finish was within reach. “Yeah, I had a really good start and I had to lift just after the start because it was such a good start, and then I got kind of squeezed in between two cars,” he explained. His determination shone through as he noted, “But other than that, I positioned the car really nicely and I think made my way forward and I think I could have got fifth today. I think I was 1.5 seconds behind George [Russell], we should have tried to undercut him. But when we missed that opportunity then I was miles behind after that.”
The atmosphere in Monza was electric, and Hamilton’s confidence in his Ferrari was undeniable. “Yeah, I think this weekend built a lot on my confidence with the car,” he added, showcasing his growing synergy with the team.
In a touching display of camaraderie, Hamilton and Leclerc took a moment during the cool-down lap to acknowledge the tifosi, who had shown unwavering support throughout the weekend. “I used to do that when I was at Mercedes, so I thought it would be really special to do, so I pulled up alongside Charles,” Hamilton shared. This gesture was more than just a lap; it was a tribute to the fans who painted Monza red with their passion. “Ultimately, it was just to really show solidarity, to show our gratitude to tifosi, because they really, really show up in full force this weekend. They’re here so early and so late every day. Last night they were outside until like 3am, and they’re there in the morning, so the support from them is absolutely phenomenal and something I’ll never forget.”
Hamilton’s debut in Ferrari colors at Monza may not have ended in the glory he aimed for, but it solidified his connection with the tifosi and showcased the potential for future triumphs. The journey is just beginning, and as he continues to build momentum, the racing world watches with bated breath.
