Italian journalist Roberto Chincero says a “Hamilton mania” has already begun in the country ahead of the 40-year-old Briton’s arrival, which he believes will require a heavy police presence to manage large crowds that are expected to gather on the streets near Ferrari’s headquarters.

Toto Wolff does not believe that Lewis Hamilton is past his prime but rather that he is struggling with the latest generation of F1 cars. In a warning to his new employer, Ferrari, the Mercedes chief assessed that the seven-time world champion’s late-braking and aggressive corner entries are mismatched with the desires of the current machines.

Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari has reportedly divided opinion amongst Ferrari’s Tifosi with expectations for either a “dream team” or a “not easy” period for Charles Leclerc. Hamilton is racing in red this season having signed a multi-year contract to become Leclerc’s newest Ferrari team-mate.

After a distinguished 12-year tenure with Mercedes, where he secured seven World Championships and 105 Grand Prix wins, Hamilton has switched teams for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Lewis Hamilton has been warned about the impacts of his popularity, as he gets set to make his Ferrari debut. Hamilton's stunning move to Maranello sees a partnership between the most successful driver of all time and the most iconic and successful team in Formula 1 history.