Lewis Hamilton has pledged to become the first black driver to win the Italian Grand Prix for Ferrari after making a striking arrival at Monza in a modified £6million Ferrari F40 supercar.
The 41-year-old driver arrived at the paddock gates wearing a dark suit, a tan overcoat and carrying a black briefcase, steering the customized red car fitted with his personal racing number 44 on its registration plate.
Hamilton, who is currently in his second season driving for Scuderia Ferrari, sits 59 points behind Mercedes pacesetter Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings but hopes recent car upgrades will give him a winning opportunity this weekend.
The modified Ferrari F40 represents a childhood dream car for Hamilton, who possesses an estimated personal fortune of £600million. While auction estimates value the rare vehicle at around £6million, it remains a custom machine tailored specifically to his specifications.
Scuderia Ferrari, based in Maranello, Italy, is the oldest and most successful team in Formula One history. Its home race at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, a historic circuit north of Milan known as the Temple of Speed, attracts tens of thousands of passionate fans known as the Tifosi.
Chasing history at Monza
Hamilton has won at Monza five times during his career, though all of those victories came while driving for McLaren and Mercedes. His 2018 triumph for Mercedes proved so dominant that it drew loud boos from disgruntled Ferrari supporters in the grandstands.
A victory this weekend would break his tie with seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher for the most wins in Italian Grand Prix history. Schumacher won at Monza five times during his legendary spell with Ferrari.
"I've really thought coming into this weekend about the sheer magnitude of the concept of the Italian Grand Prix," Hamilton said.
"I didn't even know that I was equal with Michael Schumacher on wins at Monza. But winning in Monza for the first time with Ferrari would be something else..."
He added: "I witnessed team-mate Charles Leclerc win 2019 when I was on the podium with him but to do it while I'm here would be phenomenal. If I did do that, I will be the only black driver to ever do that for Ferrari in Italy. A lot of those thoughts have been through my mind."
Family support and pressure
Leclerc scored a memorable victory at Monza for Ferrari in 2019, standing on top of the podium alongside Hamilton, who finished on the podium for Mercedes that day. Hamilton now drives alongside Leclerc as part of Ferrari's driver lineup.
The pressure to perform at Monza is intensified by the large presence of Ferrari factory workers and dedicated Italian supporters who fill the venue.
"The pressure's high. Also, you want to deliver for the team. There are all those people at the factory, many of them get to come to this race," Hamilton said. "The Tifosi, who come out in huge numbers, and the passion is unmatched. You want to deliver for them as well."
Adding to the emotional weight of the weekend, Hamilton confirmed that his mother, Brenda, is attending the Italian Grand Prix with him for the first time.
"And my mum's here this weekend. I don't think she (Brenda) has been to Monza," Hamilton said. "It's more special. I wanted her to experience this and bring any lucky dust she can."
The Ferrari F40 was originally produced between 1987 and 1992 to celebrate the Italian manufacturer's 40th anniversary. Designed by Pininfarina, the twin-turbocharged V8 sports car remains one of the most celebrated supercars in automotive history.
Hamilton is Formula One's most successful driver, holding the record for the most race victories and pole positions in the sport's history. He joined Ferrari after spending more than a decade at Mercedes, where he secured six of his seven world championships.
