Lewis Hamilton has been coming to Australia since his debut year in 2007, when he was partnering Fernando Alonso at McLaren.
For years, he had walked up and down the paddock, staring at Ferrari’s “red garage”. Now he’s inside it.
Formula 1 superstar Lewis Hamilton is stepping out in Ferrari colours at a grand prix weekend for the first time in Melbourne.Credit: Getty Images
But there was one thing the seven-time Formula 1 world champion was not aware of when it comes to Ferrari and Melbourne.
Lygon Street.
Hamilton, a lover of film, the arts, food and culture, said he was completely unaware of the strong Italian community in Melbourne.
That could be about to change if he’s able to finish on the podium come Sunday afternoon.
Lygon Street was taken over by Ferrari fans after a famous 1-2 finish for “the Prancing Horse” in the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.Credit: Nine News Melbourne
Lygon Street was painted red after last year’s race following Ferrari’s one-two finish thanks to former Carlos Sainz (who was sitting next to Hamilton during Thursday’s media conference and is now with Williams) and Charles Leclerc.
In fairness, at the time, Hamilton would have been busy dealing with the headache that was his Mercedes engine, which failed on him on lap 17.
Ferrari fans celebrated long and hard on Lygon Street last year.Credit: Nine News Melbourne
“I have not met any Italians here,” Hamilton said with a slightly confused smile at a press conference on Thursday.
“You haven’t made your way down to Lygon Street, ever?” he was asked.
“I don’t think so. I’ve been coming here a long time …” Hamilton turned to former Mercedes teammate, 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli. “Have you been to Lygon Street?” Then to Sainz: “Have you? No, I haven’t either! But that’s pretty cool to know.
“I mean, Italians are everywhere, right? Their culture is everywhere. Everyone loves pasta, everyone loves pizza, everyone has seen the movies growing up.
“Now I know when I see some of the people in here red, they’re actually Australian Italians. That’s good to know.”
Despite the pressure and the expectations riding on Hamilton’s shoulders, the former Mercedes ace says he doesn’t feel that he has anything to prove.
He doesn’t read any news and he goes long periods of time without looking at social media, something he says helps him stay level-headed and in the moment.
“Over the years, the pressure that I’ve put on myself has always been 10 times higher than any other pressure that can be put upon me,” he said.
“And I think I’ve not joined this team and been made to feel any pressure. I have an expectation for myself. I know what I can bring, I know I can do the work, I know what it’s going to take to do that.
“It’s just getting your head down and working away, so I come with a very open mind coming into this weekend.”
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
