Lewis Hamilton described his drive from 12th to fourth at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix as his best performance yet for Ferrari, calling it an incredible and unforgettable experience. Despite the race being won by Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who demonstrated clear dominance over the field, Hamilton found plenty of positives in both his race result and the overwhelming support he received from Ferrari fans at their home Grand Prix.
Hamilton expressed deep admiration for the passionate Ferrari crowd, recalling the emotional connection he felt with the team and its supporters. “It’s been incredible. What an amazing experience,” he said. During the drivers’ parade lap, he even took a moment to snap a photo of the memorial dedicated to Ayrton Senna, a legendary driver who inspired him as a child. He described the atmosphere as “just a sea of red everywhere,” a vivid reminder of the fierce loyalty and enthusiasm Ferrari commands among its followers.
Reflecting on his childhood memories of watching Formula One, Hamilton likened the passion he saw in Imola to his experiences watching Michael Schumacher race for Ferrari. “It was just really very reminiscent of when I was growing up watching, sitting at home on my couch, with a bacon sandwich watching Michael Schumacher here racing with Ferrari and seeing the connection he had with Ferrari,” Hamilton said. He emphasized how special it was to now be part of that legacy himself, driving one of the two iconic red cars and sharing that bond with the fans. “It was quite an incredible experience to think I’m now here in one of the two Ferraris and having that connection with such a passionate group of people. It’s unbelievable.”
The weekend at Imola was not without its challenges. Ferrari struggled during qualifying, leaving Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc starting 12th and 11th on the grid respectively. This was a disappointing position for a team of Ferrari’s stature, especially at a circuit where passionate fans expect strong results. However, the race showed a much better side of Ferrari’s package. The team’s strategy calls were spot-on, and Hamilton demonstrated his skill and racecraft by making a series of sharp and decisive overtakes to climb through the field.
Finishing fourth from 12th was Hamilton’s best race result since joining Ferrari, and it was a performance he clearly enjoyed. He said it was more satisfying than even his victory in the sprint race in China earlier in the season. “China was pretty great, but I would say this one was better,” he commented. For Hamilton, there is a special thrill in coming through the pack rather than starting at the front and leading from start to finish. “I’ve always loved when you’re fighting from further back and coming through. That’s how I started off as a kid, [in karting] around Rye House. That’s always such a better feeling than starting first and finishing first.”
Hamilton’s ability to move up the order underlines his talent and race experience, and it sends a strong message about his value to Ferrari. Despite the disappointing qualifying, the race pace and overtaking maneuvers showed the potential for further improvement as the season progresses. The Emilia-Romagna GP also demonstrated the strength of the Ferrari fan base, who remain fiercely loyal and supportive, giving Hamilton extra motivation to push hard.
The Red Bull team, led by Verstappen, were the class of the field, showing they had the pace to control the race. However, Ferrari’s resilience and Hamilton’s determination were clear highlights of the weekend, signaling that the Scuderia is fighting hard to regain competitiveness. Hamilton’s reflections and the connection he felt with the fans suggest he is settling well into his role at Ferrari, embracing the challenge and looking forward to more battles on the track.
In summary, Hamilton’s performance at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was not only about the on-track achievement but also about the emotional and cultural experience of driving for Ferrari in front of their passionate supporters. It was a weekend that rekindled fond memories, highlighted his racing prowess, and strengthened his bond with one of Formula One’s most storied teams.
