With each passing race, Lewis Hamilton’s move to Italy is inching closer. The Briton will pack his bags as he shifts to a completely unique atmosphere. The Mercedes team was a home setup. Even his debut was with McLaren, which was also a British-based team. Thus, until now, the seven-time world champion was comfortable with the culture. However, his imminent move to Ferrari will be a complete turnaround.
While the 39-year-old racer’s potential move already unsettled the current lineup, he will likely experience the impact once he moves to Maranello. While the Tifosis eagerly awaits the iconic racer, he is in slight trouble. The Briton recently shared a key problem ahead of his move to Ferrari with his teammate George Russell.
Hamilton’s Learning Curve “Too Tough” With New Assignment
The upcoming Ferrari racer is having a tough time learning about Italian culture. The language barrier is particularly troubling Hamilton, which he discussed with Russell. The two Mercedes drivers were having a conversation in front of the Tifosi. Hamilton expressed his excitement about trying out new Italian dishes since the F1 has increased the weight limit by 2 kgs. Subsequently, the Briton tries to pronounce the names of the Italian dishes. However, Russell observes that his partner is on the wrong track and asks whether he is learning Italian. Hamilton replies with disappointment, claiming it to be “bloody hard.” However, despite the mispronunciation, the Monza crowd loved Hamilton’s attempt and enjoyed this slight fun banter between the Mercedes duo. The legendary driver has opened up about learning Italian in the past. He is elated to join a team with such a massive fan following.
However, he got slightly emotional when Mercedes announced Kimi Antonelli as his replacement. The British driver said that the announcement of Kimi Antonelli as his successor felt surreal, even though he had been anticipating it. On the day of the announcement, Hamilton woke up with an awareness of its significance. Despite knowing the change was coming, the reality of officially vacating his seat after such a long tenure was a striking experience. This realization brought forth a complex array of emotions. Nevertheless, Hamilton expressed sincere happiness for Antonelli and Mercedes, trusting that the young driver would thrive in his new position.
Hamilton also lauded Antonelli for his skill and the strong support system surrounding him, which he believes will be advantageous as Antonelli embarks on his rookie F1 season with a competitive team. Reflecting on the season, Hamilton acknowledged that the emotions surrounding his departure had been felt throughout the year.
Lewis Hamilton Highlights A Key Improvement Area After Monza Result
Each race has grown increasingly significant for Hamilton as he considers the possibility that it might be his final appearance at each venue in a Mercedes car. This realization has imbued each event with added emotion as he approaches the end of his tenure with a team he cherishes and with whom he has had many memorable experiences.
For the remainder of the season, Hamilton’s primary focus is to regain his edge in qualifying, where he has struggled this year. Although his race pace continues to be strong, he is committed to restoring his previous performance in qualifying to ensure a strong finish to the season for the team.