Lewis Hamilton did something strange when presented with a Mercedes cap at the Monaco Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton is making his first visit to the Monaco Grand Prix as a Ferrari driver. This would be a dream venue to score his first podium in scarlet red.

Hamilton won the race twice in his 11 visits with Mercedes. The first of those victories came in 2016, when a disastrous pit stop cost Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo.

The seven-time world champion has only once won from pole in Monte Carlo. He held off Sebastian Vettel during his dominant march to the title in 2019.

While his partnership with Mercedes was the most successful in F1 history, Hamilton says racing for Ferrari is uniquely special. That may not go down particularly well with his past employers.

The Tifosi welcomed Hamilton as one of their own at Imola last weekend. He rallied from 12th to fourth on his first visit to Italy as a Ferrari driver.

Lewis Hamilton stopped himself from signing one Mercedes cap at the Monaco Grand Prix

Prior to Monaco Grand Prix practice on Friday, the official F1 account shared videos of drivers interacting with the spectators on Instagram. The two Ferrari drivers made their obligatory appearance at the fan zone.

Charles Leclerc is the home hero this weekend and is looking to repeat his 2024 Monaco triumph. After addressing the crowd, the duo signed some F1 merchandise.

One fan presented a teal Mercedes cap, and after going to sign it, Hamilton hesitated and moved away. Strangely, he was happy to sign a separate white cap with his ‘Still I Rise’ logo on the back.

Hamilton may have been aware of Ferrari’s commercial ties. The Scuderia are outfitted by Puma, who used to supply Mercedes.

Now the Silver Arrows have a deal in place with Adidas. Hamilton may have noticed the logo and decided that he wouldn’t risk upsetting his new partners.

Charles Leclerc shares the biggest thing he’s learned from Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari

Mercedes have arguably been better off without Hamilton this season. That’s not a reflection on his ability, but all parties acknowledged last season that a fresh start was needed.

While they only picked up six points at Imola last weekend, Mercedes remain second in the constructors’ standings. They’re 33 points ahead of Hamilton’s new team, having scored four podiums to Ferrari’s one.

George Russell has thrived in the role of team leader, while rookie signing Kimi Antonelli has largely impressed.

Though he’s comfortably winning the intra-team head-to-head, Leclerc says he’s learning from Hamilton at Ferrari. Above all, he’s been inspired by the ‘discipline’ of the 105-time race-winner.