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Lewis Hamilton Tasked with Learning Italian as He Joins Ferrari in 2025

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
December 23, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Lewis Hamilton Tasked with Learning Italian as He Joins Ferrari in 2025

Nov 21, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton (44) arrives before practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

As Lewis Hamilton prepares to step into the iconic scarlet overalls of Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season, he’s facing a unique challenge—mastering the Italian language. In a move to help him integrate into Ferrari’s rich culture, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has emphasized the importance of learning Italian, marking yet another chapter in the sport’s most intriguing team-driver pairing.


The Language of Maranello

Hamilton, the most successful driver in F1 history, will join Ferrari after years of racing under the British banners of McLaren and Mercedes. Speaking about his language skills, Hamilton admitted at the Italian GP, “My Italian is definitely not very good. It’s probably the same as it was when I was in karting, which was pretty bad.”

However, Domenicali, Ferrari’s former team principal, underscored the necessity for Hamilton to adapt linguistically and culturally. “He is learning Italian to understand how to integrate into our culture,” Domenicali told AutoRacer.it. “I told him it is essential. At Ferrari, he will be in a different environment than what he is used to.”


Does Language Impact Performance?

While Domenicali’s remarks highlight the symbolic and cultural importance of Italian at Ferrari, Team Principal Frederic Vasseur offered a more pragmatic take.

“It’s good to speak a little Italian for the mechanics,” Vasseur said, “but I’m not sure that it is crucial for performance.”

Hamilton’s soon-to-be teammate, Charles Leclerc, is already fluent in Italian, a skill that has helped him forge a close relationship with Ferrari’s team members since joining in 2019. The Monegasque driver is coming off a stellar season with three Grand Prix wins and a third-place finish in the Drivers’ Championship.


Hamilton and Leclerc: A Star-Studded Line-Up

Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari sets up one of the most exciting intra-team rivalries in F1 history. With Leclerc well-established and fluent in both the language and culture of Maranello, the dynamic between the two drivers will undoubtedly attract intense scrutiny.

“Charles will, of course, have to accept that someone like Lewis is not an easy teammate,” Domenicali said.

However, he expressed optimism about their budding camaraderie. “They respect each other a lot, and I hope they will continue to do so at the end of the year.”


A New Challenge for Hamilton

Hamilton’s 2024 campaign was less successful than his teammate George Russell, as the seven-time World Champion struggled to find his rhythm at Mercedes. Joining Ferrari is not just a career shift; it’s a chance for him to chase his elusive eighth title in an environment steeped in legacy but rife with expectations.

Domenicali believes Hamilton’s ability to inspire positivity and determination will be a significant asset for Ferrari. “He will bring a lot of interest [to Ferrari],” he said. “Lewis will definitely have the ability to convey his positivity in his efforts to achieve his record.”


Can Ferrari Manage the Sparks?

Ferrari is no stranger to managing high-profile driver pairings, but Hamilton and Leclerc could present a unique challenge. Vasseur, however, sees the potential rivalry as a positive: “It is a good issue for the team,” he remarked.

As Ferrari gears up for 2025, the combination of Hamilton’s experience and Leclerc’s talent creates a driver lineup brimming with potential—and tension. Will Hamilton’s language lessons help him find common ground with his team, or will the sparks fly too high in the pursuit of glory?

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