As the Italian Grand Prix weekend approaches, Lewis Hamilton has taken a moment to pay tribute to the legendary Michael Schumacher. This year, Ferrari is set to honor Schumacher with a unique livery during the race at Monza, where the team will celebrate the iconic driver’s legacy.
Michael Schumacher, who joined Ferrari 30 years ago, achieved remarkable success with the team, winning five of his seven world championships while driving for the prancing horse. In a recent announcement, Ferrari revealed plans to dedicate their cars and race suits to the German icon, reflecting on his significant contributions to the sport.
This special tribute will see Hamilton's and Charles Leclerc's cars donning a livery inspired by the 1996 Ferrari F310, the vehicle Schumacher drove in his debut season. The design will incorporate gold accents on the wheels, reminiscent of the ’96 model, and will proudly feature Schumacher’s logo along with the seven stars that adorned his helmet, symbolizing his seven championship titles—a record that Hamilton has matched.
In a celebratory gesture, former Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel is also scheduled to drive Schumacher’s championship-winning car from 2022 for a special lap before the race on Sunday. This event highlights the deep respect and admiration that the current and former drivers have for Schumacher's legacy.
During a press conference on Thursday, Hamilton expressed his excitement about representing Ferrari at Monza for the second consecutive year. He stated, “It is the best feeling, such an honor and a privilege to be a Ferrari driver. It is really phenomenal to experience it for the second year in a row.” He also reflected on the significance of the tribute, noting, “I always remember seeing Michael in the red car, and just trying to imagine what it would feel like to be in his shoes. He was such a leader.”
As the race weekend unfolds, Hamilton faces the challenge of competing alongside championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who will start at the back of the grid due to a grid penalty for exceeding his engine allocation. Despite this setback, Ferrari has introduced a power unit upgrade for this race, which Hamilton believes will contribute positively to their performance. “Every little helps,” he remarked, acknowledging the hard work put in by the team. “Even the last race, we were losing four tenths on the straight. I’m really proud of how hard everyone is working, in the factory, heads down.”
Hamilton, who secured his first race victory for Ferrari in Barcelona earlier this year, is optimistic about the upgrades. He emphasized that while the improvements are a step forward, they are not sufficient to close the entire gap to their competitors. Nevertheless, he expressed excitement about the ongoing developments and the team's commitment to progress.
In a personal touch, Hamilton arrived at the Monza paddock in his recently acquired Ferrari F40, which features a unique personal number plate and coincidentally has an engine number 44. He shared his enthusiasm for the car, explaining, “I’ve been looking for one for a while, and I wanted one with low mileage. When they took the engine out, they found out the engine’s number 44, it’s got stamped on the engine, number 44, I couldn’t believe it.” This serendipitous detail adds to the significance of his presence at the iconic Italian circuit, where he aims to honor Ferrari’s rich history and Schumacher’s enduring legacy.
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