F1 News: Lewis Hamilton Contradicts Ferrari Factory Visit Claims

The Mercedes driver has been to the Ferrari factory in Maranello before but denied claims.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton told the media during the pre-season testing in Bahrain that he had never visited the Ferrari factory in Maranello. However, Ferrari vice-chairman Piero Ferrari spoke about Hamilton's factory visit in recent times for a very specific purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• Lewis Hamilton claimed during pre-season testing that he had never visited the Ferrari factory in Maranello, citing it wasn't appropriate while being with Mercedes.
• Ferrari vice-chairman Piero Ferrari contradicted Hamilton's statement, revealing that Hamilton had visited the factory a few years ago to take delivery of his LaFerrari, specifically for setting up the car.
• Ferrari clarified that Hamilton's visit was not to the F1 racing department but for his new LaFerrari, around 2014 when Sebastian Vettel was with Ferrari. Hamilton had jokingly expressed interest in joining Ferrari during that time.

Hamilton's announcement of joining Ferrari next year sent shockwaves through Formula 1. Since then, everything Ferrari that the seven-time world champion has indulged in has received considerable magnification in the eyes of the media and people. 

However, recent claims of him not visiting Maranello caused confusion when he was asked about it in Bahrain. Forgetting about his visit to the Ferrari factory, here's what he told the media when asked if he ever visited the factory in Maranello:

“I have not.

“I bought my first Ferrari in 2010 (sic).

“That was my first present to myself. I don’t have it anymore, but I didn’t get to go during that time.

“Being with Mercedes, I didn’t think it was a good look to go.”

"Sensitive To The Fascination Of The Prancing Horse"

However, highlighting Hamilton's factory visit from a few years ago, Piero Ferrari revealed back then that the British driver had visited the factory to take delivery of his LaFerrari. Speaking to Italian journalist Leo Turrini for Quotidiano Nazionale, He said:

“Perhaps not everyone knows that Lewis has always been sensitive to the fascination of the Prancing Horse.

“He’s a customer of ours! He has visited the factory more than once.

“He came as a buyer of our cars. He is not just a speed ace.

“He has a genuine love for supercars. His garage couldn’t be without our cars. One in particular…

“The model called LaFerrari. Hamilton came to Maranello to give directions on how to set up the car. It was on that occasion that we greeted each other cordially.”

Hamilton's apparent contradiction regarding his visit to Ferrari was clarified by the team. Ferrari stated that Hamilton did not visit the F1 racing department of the factory. Instead, he came to Maranello concerning his new LaFerrari.

This was the period around 2014 when Sebastian Vettel raced for Ferrari. Coincidentally, Piero Ferrari spoke of a joke that Hamilton had cracked back then of his intention to join the team. He said:

“We had Vettel in the team and we were happy with Seb.

“We had just renewed the contract with the German, which was going well. Lewis made a joke: if you waited twelve months I would come in…”

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