Lewis Hamilton Opens Up About Special Feeling Driving For Ferrari

When you’ve reached the level of success someone like Formula One superstar Lewis Hamilton has achieved, we can imagine many things in life start to feel mundane or underwhelming. In his first interview with Ferrari, Hamilton opened up about how he thought he’d had all of his life’s special firsts, so he was surprised at how it felt getting behind the wheel of a Ferrari racecar.

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In fact, Hamilton said his excitement at getting into a Ferrari F1 car was “very reminiscent of maybe the first time that I got to step into a Formula One car.” That was two decades ago, so to suddenly have that kind of emotion sweep over you after you’ve had numerous podium finishes and World Championships under your belt has to be a shock.

Previously, Hamilton has disclosed he switched to Scuderia Ferrari to avoid stagnating in F1. But in this interview, he also says he’s always fantasized what it would be like driving for the team, “surrounded by red.” Now he’s living that dream.

But the man repeats a few times in the interview with his new team that the lead-up to his beginning with Ferrari has felt like a long journey. We suppose he’s been excited and nervous to start the new endeavor, eager to prove himself and see what he can do with the Italians backing him.

But he said “feeling the vibration of the Ferrari engine for the first time” brought him so much joy it “put the biggest smile on my face.” In other words, Hamilton, just like every other gearhead, craves the visceral feel of a performance machine.

Hamilton also expressed appreciation and amazement at the level of passion and dedication he’s felt from the entire Ferrari team. While he’d seen the race team at various Grands Prix, he said he didn’t understand how many thousands of others were working to make Scuderia Ferrari HP a success on the track.

Image via Ferrari/YouTube