Frederic Vasseur poked fun at British cuisine on Friday (Image: Getty)
poked fun at British food when asked about ’s adaptation to life in Italy. The seven-time world champion moved to Maranello for the 2025 season after spending his entire career driving for constructors based within the south of England. Hamilton has been open about the challenges he has faced since joining from .
The Brit has been learning a new language to integrate with his Maranello colleagues and is experiencing a new way of working after leaving behind the likes of Pete Bonnington and Andrew Shovlin at Brackley. However, one thing that hasn’t been tough for Hamilton to adapt to is Italian cuisine. Asked about the process at the season opener in Melbourne, Vasseur said: “I am not sure it is a drama to adapt yourself to the Italian food when you are coming from the UK.”
Vasseur’s words ring true, given Hamilton’s comments in pre-season testing. “Oh God, I’ve eaten so many pizzas in the last few weeks,” he confessed. “But funnily enough, I’ve lost weight. Last week alone, I had three pizzas. I love Italian food. Penne a la Arrabiata is still my absolute favourite dish.”
This passion for Italian food has roots in his childhood karting career. “I still remember going into town with Nico [Rosberg] every evening to buy pizza and ice cream,” he explained. “We ate so much pizza.
“My roots in motorsport lie in Italy. I drove there when I was 13. I remember that Luca del Fante, my first mechanic, and his mother always made me an incredible lasagna. I have never forgotten that lasagna to this day.”
Lewis Hamilton has been enjoying the Italian cuisine (Image: Getty)
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While Hamilton is still adapting to life as a driver and the pressure and responsibilities that the title entails, the Brit must also find a way to deliver in the short term. With his Prancing Horse debut coming up on Sunday in the Australian Grand Prix, the 40-year-old endured a mixed opening day of practice on Friday.
Hamilton ended FP1 12th in the running order with a time six-tenths slower than new team-mate Charles Leclerc. He improved in FP2, finishing fifth, but was still off the pace compared to the Monegasque racer.
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“Honestly, the car felt so much different to anything I’ve ever experienced coming to this track, so it took a little bit of bedding in through P1,” Hamilton said after the session. “P2 was definitely a little better, just building, but yeah, we’re slowly building and a little bit getting faster, bit by bit.”
Asked to elaborate on his comments, he added: Just different. Just a lot different. But the car doesn’t feel bad or anything, it just requires a different way of driving. So [I am] adjusting my driving style bit by bit, but enjoying driving.”