Ferrari have been widely praised for their social media output in the lead up to Lewis Hamilton making his first appearance at their factory in Maranello.
Lewis Hamilton has given Ferrari fans nearly a year to prepare for his arrival after confirming his Mercedes exit before the beginning of the 2024 season.
Ferrari are anticipating problems with Hamilton’s first test such is the clamour from the team’s fans to see his debut outing in one of Ferrari’s old cars.
Fiorano is only a small private test track and while it’s far less exposed that the Circuit de Catalunya, Ferrari can’t protect the entirely of the circuit from onlookers.
Hamilton’s arrival alongside Charles Leclerc this season meant that another driver had to make way for the seven-time world champion.
Carlos Sainz was the unfortunate star to make way and at the end of last season was highlighted just what Ferrari are going to miss in 2025 with an incredible win in Mexico City.
Sainz has arrived at Williams as he takes the next step in his Formula 1 career but knows he’s unlikely to be racing his old team on track very often this year.
However, Ferrari’s fans think they’ve spotted a nod to Sainz in the team’s latest social media post as they tease Hamilton’s imminent arrival.
Carlos Sainz nod spotted by Ferrari fans in latest Lewis Hamilton announcement
Ferrari posted a video on social media of a clock ticking down to 16:44 – in a reference to both of their new driver’s numbers with the caption: “Set your watches.”
It appears to be alluding to the first post of both of their drivers together with Hamilton’s first visit to Ferrari’s factory set to take place on Monday.
However, Ferrari fans noticed that the clock also ticked past the number 55 to reach the correct time and some of the team’s fans thought it was a nod to Sainz.
One fan said, ‘The 55 passing!’ while another commented, ‘The 55 leaving was personal.’
Another fan made the connecting too, commenting, ‘55 -> 0 -> 44’ alongside a crying emoji.
READ MORE: Williams driver Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height
One post suggested, ‘Showing the 55 passing was definitely a choice’, and another replied, ‘The way it goes over 55 and then turns into 44. I’m sorry I’m screaming.’
‘The 55 hurt Ferrari,’ another fan suggested while the overall consensus from everyone was summed by a final commenter who simply said, ‘That 55 cut through my heart.’
Ferrari’s heartwarming goodbye to Carlos Sainz after the 2024 season
Sainz raced for Ferrari for four seasons before discovering that his contract wasn’t being renewed for 2025 to make room for Hamilton.
He matched his best finish in the Drivers’ Championship in 2024, finishing fifth and winning more than one race in a season for the first time in his F1 career.
However, he was 66 points behind Leclerc by the time the campaign ended which suggests team principal Frederic Vasseur made the right call on which driver to let go.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory
Sainz said an emotional goodbye to Ferrari in Abu Dhabi when they showed him a video of his highlights with the team.
Ferrari then organised a private run for Sainz and his father at Fiorano that allowed the pair to drive some iconic F1 cars.
Sainz Sr. even got the chance to drive the car his son won his first Formula 1 race in, highlighting just how important the 30-year-old was to Ferrari since arriving in 2021.
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