Lewis Hamilton is seeking to topple Michael Schumacher by becoming Formula 1’s first-ever eight-time world champion when he joins Ferrari. Hamilton and Schumacher are currently tied for top spot at seven apiece.
It would be especially apt if the Briton won his eighth in Ferrari colours. Schumacher has become almost synonymous with the brand after his run of five straight titles from 2000 to 2004 – the most dominant run in F1 history.
While he’s still racing for Mercedes, Hamilton has already begun preparations for his seismic transfer. Sebastian Vettel has warned of a culture shock given that he’s spent his entire career with British teams.
Hamilton has begun learning Italian in an effort to better integrate himself with the Maranello outfit. He knows this was especially helpful to Schumacher during his stay.
Schumacher will always be ‘light years’ ahead of Hamilton, his brother Ralf says, no matter what he achieves from here. But neutrals may see it differently.
Ferrari have only had one drivers’ champion since the German’s exit – Kimi Raikkonen in 2007. They haven’t won the constructors’ since 2008, though they still have a chance of beating McLaren this year.
Lewis Hamilton will emulate Michael Schumacher by living in Enzo Ferrari’s house
According to Sky Sport Italia commentator Carlo Vanzini, speaking on Roberto Chincero’s Twitch channel, Ferrari will allow Hamilton to live in the former home of founder Enzo Ferrari. They haven’t granted this ‘privilege’ to any driver since Schumacher.
The Italian businessman acquired the land in the 1960s and even tested his racing cars on the public roads nearby before the construction of the Fiorano test track. His converted farmhouse was close enough that he could see the cars circulating
Ferrari died in 1988, and F1 has now introduced testing rules that strictly limit how much the team can run their current cars. But Fiorano remains a hugely significant location, with streets named after legends like Schumacher, Gilles Villeneuve and Alberto Ascari.
It’s unclear whether Hamilton will live there permanently or simply use it as a base when he’s working with the team’s engineers. He currently resides in Monte Carlo, like many F1 drivers.
Vanzini says Ferrari’s offer will help Hamilton carry out his work in a discrete manner. He’ll only have to travel short distances, helping him avoid photographers and fans.
“Lewis will live in Enzo Ferrari’s house,” said Vanzini. “He’ll have it as a base of support when he goes to Fiorano. Since the times of Schumacher, no driver has had this privilege. I also think it was the right choice, because I believe for a character like Lewis, to move publicly is already difficult.”
The attitude problem Lewis Hamilton had at McLaren before ‘extraordinary’ change
Hamilton has progressively grown in stature throughout his F1 career. This is a result of not only his sporting success, but also his increasing use of his platform.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is inspired by Hamilton’s ‘constant self-development’. He entered F1 in 2007 and is now about to pass Kimi Raikkonen for second place on the all-time list of race starts.
Hamilton was ‘somewhat petulant’ when he joined the sport, BBC Sport’s Jennie Gow says. But he’s now become an ‘extraordinary’ figure.
F1’s commercial rights holders Liberty Media will be delighted by his move to Ferrari. After a Drive to Survive-fuelled surge in popularity, there should be another spike in interest next year.
