Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari photo sparked a frenzy on social media (Image: Instagram: lewishamilton)
F1 fans think they have sussed out an ingenious hidden meaning behind ‘s first photo as a driver.
The seven-time world champion arrived at the factory in Maranello on Monday to begin work ahead of the new season, almost one year after it was announced that he would be leaving to join up with the Prancing Horse.
To mark his arrival, which Hamilton termed a ‘new era’, he posted a to social media. In it, the 40-year-old is dressed sharply, standing beside a F40 and in front of a white house with red shutters.
Hamilton has been tied with Michael Schumacher at the top of the all-time Drivers’ Championship list with seven world titles since 2020. And he will hope to take the next step with , having fallen short with in each of the past four seasons.
Coincidentally or not, some eagle-eyed punters clocked that the building in the photo had seven windows – one for each of his titles – and then a door representing the opportunity to grab an eighth. It is unclear whether that symbolism was intentional, but many feel it was a brilliant hint at what’s to come.
Responding to the post on X, wrote: “The Easter egg is crazy.” Also on board with the idea, added: “That’s sooo brilliant if it was intentional!” And chimed in with: “Insane strategic marketing going on for LH44 in !”
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Lewis Hamilton landed in Italy to begin work at Ferrari on Monday (Image: Getty)
Hamilton came agonisingly close to his eighth world title in 2021, when pipped him on the final lap of the season’s final race in Abu Dhabi. star Verstappen has since gone on to win three more Drivers’ Championships.
After finishing seventh in the individual standings last year, and as he heads into a 19th F1 season, Hamilton will hope his move brings him a new lease of life. He will have to be near his best to keep new team-mate Charles Leclerc at bay, but for now the veteran Brit is enjoying the moment.
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“There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a driver, is one of those days,” Hamilton wrote on .
“I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. I couldn’t be happier to realise that dream today. Today we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together.”