Jeremy Clarkson took a dig at all the grandeur behind Lewis Hamilton’s first visit to Ferrari’s factory in Maranello.
Jeremy Clarkson (via The Independent), Lewis Hamilton (via Getty)
Lewis Hamilton‘s move to Ferrari for the 2025 season is one of the biggest driver transfers in the history of Formula 1. The Briton is expected to take the Italian constructor back to their championship-winning days.
The 40-year-old was welcomed with great glamor during his first visit to the team’s factory. However, Topgear fame Jeremy Clarkson did not like the grandeur of Hamilton’s welcoming.
Initially, Lewis Hamilton was rumored to reside in the late Enzo Ferrari‘s residence during his tenure with the team which was promptly debunked. The 40-year-old has decided to live in Milan, which is quite far from the team’s factory in Maranello. Moreover, despite the eminent move, the ex-Mercedes star doesn’t particularly like driving around in Ferrari.
Jeremy Clarkson pointed out these facts and highlighted how Hamilton wasn’t very close to the brand yet. The 64-year-old further revealed that the Briton preferred to travel to and fro from the factory in a Fiat helicopter. Due to these reasons, Clarkson took a jibe at the 40-year-old and questioned whether the latter was still a Formula 1 driver or a superstar.
I’m told his new house isn’t anywhere near the team’s HQ. It’s in Milan, and he doesn’t even commute in a Ferrari road car, choosing instead to use Fiat’s helicopter. It made me wonder. What is Lewis now? A driver? Or a superstar?
Jeremy Clarkson told The Sun newspaper.
Lewis Hamilton should have arrived at Maranello on ‘day one’
Lewis Hamilton could not test with Ferrari’s chassis after the end of the 2024 season’s final race due to Mercedes’ impending mega farewell. However, the 40-year-old made his first visit to the Maranello factory after 20 days in 2025.
Jeremy Clarkson believed that if Hamilton was truly keen on winning with Ferrari, he should’ve arrived at the factory on his first day as a Ferrari driver. Instead, the seven-time champion pulled up in a formal suit with multiple cameras recording his entry to the factory, declaring an emergency in the state.
If he’s so keen on that eighth world title, you’d imagine that he’d have arrived at the factory on day one, keen to know the car’s secrets and how he can extract the most from its vast arsenal of racing trickery. Instead, he turned up in an SUV in a suit and tie and posed for pictures before talking to fans, under the watchful eye of a video drone which luckily was there to capture the moment.
Jeremy Clarkson noted
Regardless of other people’s beliefs, Hamilton’s entry to Ferrari is definitely among the greatest news in Formula 1. The Briton could end the team’s victory drought of over 16 years which is a big deal for the Italian constructor. Moreover, the 40-year-old will form a highly formidable pair with Charles Leclerc and get up to speed from the get-go.
