Hamilton's And Ferrari's Claims Contradict Concerning Visit Of Maranello Factory
F1Sunday, 25 February 2024 at 16:15
The latest statement of the seven-time World Champion caused a bit of confusion in the media as it contradicted what Piero Ferrari previously said.
After his recent decision to sign a contract with the Prancing Horse starting from the season 2025, many questions directed at Lewis Hamilton have been about Ferrari.
Besides other questions like whether the move had something to do with Fred Vasseur or whether he plans to learn Italian, the 39-year-old was also asked whether he has visited Maranello before. He told the media:
"I have not. I bought my first Ferrari in 2010 (sic) [Hamilton took delivery of his LaFerrari road car in 2015], I think."
The Mercedes driver added it wouldn't look good if he spent too much time in the Ferrari factory in Maranello as a Mercedes driver.
"That was my first present to myself. I don't have it anymore, but I didn't get to go during that time. Being with Mercedes, I didn't think it was a good look to go."
Why did this response from the Briton cause confusion amongst his fans and the media? Speaking to Italian journalist Leo Turrini for Quotidiano Nazionale a few weeks earlier, Pierro Ferrari (son of Enzo Ferrari) asserted Hamilton has been in Maranello quite a few times already. He said:
"Perhaps not everyone knows that Lewis has always been sensitive to the fascination of the Prancing Horse. He’s a customer of ours! He has visited the factory more than once/ He came as a buyer of our cars. He is not just a speed ace. He has a genuine love for supercars.
The two statements oppose each other. However, there is a way to interpret this so it makes more sense. Hamilton has been to Maranello because he bought LaFerrari, and he needed directions on how to set it up.
He probably visited the Ferrari factory but not the F1 department of the factory. Therefore, it would make sense that Hamilton said he hasn't visited the Ferrari factory in the context of the F1 interview. Ferrari added:
" His garage couldn’t be without our cars. One in particular… The model called LaFerrari. Hamilton came to Maranello to give directions on how to set up the car. It was on that occasion that we greeted each other cordially."
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