Lewis Hamilton has decided to start learning Italian – after the F1 star was told it was ‘essential’ he did so ahead of his move to Ferrari next year.
The 39-year-old recently left Mercedes behind after a glittering spell with the Silver Arrows that saw him win six Formula One titles.
Hamilton is moving to Ferrari in the hope of winning a historic eighth crown that would move him ahead of Michael Schumacher in the history books.
He penned a two-year deal with his new side at the start of the year, which is believed to be worth a staggering £100million.
F1 news: Lewis Hamilton has decided to start learning Italian – after the star was told it was ‘essential’ he did so ahead of his move to Ferrari next year
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F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has now revealed that Hamilton has started to learn Italian as the veteran prepares for his new adventure.
And Domenicali also revealed that he’d warned the Stevenage-born star that it was ‘essential’ he did so in order to adjust to life in his new surroundings as quickly as possible.
“He will bring great interest,” he said, per Autoracer.
“He is learning to speak Italian and understand how to integrate into our culture.
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“I told him, it is also essential for him to be able to do this. In Ferrari, he will find a different environment than before.”
One thing that will be fascinating when Hamilton moves to Ferrari is how his partnership with Charles Leclerc plays out.
Leclerc finished third in the F1 standings in 2024, behind only Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.
Hamilton, contrastingly, was forced to settle for seventh in his final season with Mercedes.
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Some sceptics have suggested the pair could quickly find themselves in a power struggle in order to be Ferrari’s No 1 driver.
But Domenicali isn’t worried, with the F1 chief stressing they have a positive relationship with each other.
“Charles will, of course, have to accept that someone like Lewis is not an easy team-mate,” he continued.
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Lewis Hamilton is set to become team-mates of Charles Leclerc at Ferrari next year
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“Lewis will definitely have the ability to convey his positivity in his efforts to achieve his record.
“They respect each other a lot, and I hope they will continue to do so at the end of the year.”
Ferrari used to dominate Formula One during the early 2000s, with Schumacher excelling in the sport.
Lewis Hamilton will be hoping to win a record eighth F1 title at Ferrari
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They haven’t had a driver to win the F1 Drivers’ Championship since Kimi Raikkonen, however, who achieved the feat in 2007.
Ferrari’s most recent Constructors’ Championship came the following year.