Lewis Hamilton is trying to learn Italian to integrate himself into Ferrari. Hamilton has spent his entire career at British-based teams, starting at McLaren before his move to Mercedes.
Hamilton delighted Ferrari staff by speaking Italian on stage at a recent team event. His 2025 partner Charles Leclerc hails from Monaco but is already fluent in the language.
It isn’t necessarily essential. Michael Schumacher never learned Italian, and while this generated some dissatisfaction among the Tifosi, he still won five world championships in as many seasons.
However, Naomi Schiff says Hamilton could become paranoid if he doesn’t have any grasp. Leclerc would be able to hold private conversations with engineers.
The only Italian driver on the 2025 grid is Kimi Antonelli, the country’s first representative since Antonio Giovinazzi. Giovinazzi remains part of the Ferrari set-up but he lost his Sauber seat at the end of 2021.
Antonelli is replacing Hamilton at Mercedes. Though he’s about to become the third-youngest F1 driver ever, he’s already developed a strong command of English.
Kimi Antonelli impressed by Lewis Hamilton’s early grasp of Italian after Ferrari move
Hamilton made his first official appearance in Ferrari colours at the F1 75 launch event on Tuesday evening. Antonelli was also presented as a new Mercedes driver.
The seven-time world champion received perhaps the loudest cheer of all from the London crowd. He then immediately returned to Italy for Ferrari’s individual car launch on Wednesday.
In an interview with Sky Italy at the O2 Arena, Antonelli revealed that he’d already spoken to Hamilton in Italian. He’s impressed with the progress the 40-year-old has made.
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“We exchanged a few words in Italian,” he said. “I’ve got to say he’s improving but yes it’s nice to see him and it will also be nice to go on track with him.”
Antonelli cheered on Sebastian Vettel as a child, rather than Hamilton. That’s because the ex-Red Bull driver reminded him of Ayrton Senna, his ultimate idol.
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Hamilton has been living at Ferrari’s factory, with his motorhome parked near the home of founder Enzo. He’s been having lunch with his new engineers in the hope of forming a bond.
Speaking on stage on Tuesday, Hamilton said he felt ‘invigorated’ by his Ferrari move. He arguably looked like a driver in need of a change by the end of last year.
He’s signed with the team for an initial two years, taking him into the sport’s new era. Both parties can then agree to extend the partnership by a further season.
Hamilton has found the ‘steep learning curve’ at Ferrari ‘tough’, even though he was braced for it. The tireless work of the winter will be worth it if he’s ready to compete with Leclerc from Melbourne onwards.
