Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari in Maranello: this was John Elkann’s dream. As broadly anticipated, final Monday, the headquarters at Through Abetone Inferiore 4 grew to become the middle of the world, no less than so far as motorsport is worried. The British driver’s first “operational” day was a possibility to fulfill the workforce of the Prancing Horse, beneath the watchful eyes of all the high administration of the purple workforce. Current in full ceremonial trend have been the main figures of the historic Maranello firm: President John Elkann, chief govt officer Benedetto Vigna, and Crew Principal Frederic Vasseur.
The seven-time System 1 world champion appeared visibly moved by the welcome and by discovering the inside workings of the corporate that not solely produces probably the most well-known automobiles on this planet however is, within the sporting realm, the last word manufacturing unit of goals, no matter success on the monitor. That success within the high class has been absent for the reason that time when Lewis Hamilton was taking his first steps in System 1, astonishing the world along with his fast means to battle for the title as a rookie, competing in opposition to Fernando Alonso.
What is for certain is that each one the members of the Italian workforce have been swept up by immense enthusiasm, which Ferrari will do all the things to channel as a catalyst for the championship hopes of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, who was additionally discreetly current. Furthermore, Ferrari’s meticulous consideration to each single element in communication and picture highlights the size of the occasion, in addition to the large expectations this partnership will inevitably be required to fulfill. Nothing much less was anticipated from this preliminary level of contact.
Instances change, as does the best way of speaking with the surface world. We all know this effectively. Nonetheless, no Ferrari driver has ever been given such a welcome as a brand new arrival. In any case, the Italian F1 workforce had by no means signed a driver with so many accolades. Not even Michael Schumacher, when he arrived in 1996, had achieved Lewis Hamilton’s milestones. Probably the most highly effective message of the day is subliminal but very clear to these acquainted with the historical past of probably the most embellished workforce on this planet.
John Elkann’s presence, performing virtually as a shadow for Lewis Hamilton at each step, at the same time as he greeted followers outdoors the Prancing Horse’s headquarters, “betrays” the inheritor of the Agnelli household’s need to say (and remind everybody of) the parenthood of the signing of the British champion. Past the assured return on funding from the colossal advertising and marketing and merchandising equipment, with the “Lewis Hamilton deal” the grandson of lawyer Gianni Agnelli seeks to etch his identify into the legendary historical past of Ferrari.
For these with a number of grey hairs, it’s effectively remembered that the lawyer, a staunch Juventus supporter, was not accustomed to attending the foremost occasions of the purple workforce. Nevertheless, he made an exception throughout the 1996 System 1 racing marketing campaign when the primary Ferrari of Michael Schumacher, the not-so-competitive F310, was unveiled. On February 15, 1996, Gianni Agnelli hosted the occasion beneath a marquee arrange in Fiorano. He took the stage throughout Michael Schumacher’s first official look and, in his distinctive fashion, conveyed the magnitude of the funding and the excessive expectations.
“Actually, Michael didn’t come to us for a crust of bread.” These have been the phrases of John’s grandfather. The present Ferrari president has little in frequent along with his illustrious ancestor. Nevertheless, the arrival of Lewis Hamilton looks as if a nostalgic try and retrace his grandfather’s footsteps. It undoubtedly sends a subliminal message to all managerial ranges of the Ferrari Racing Division: now that the Prancing Horse has a driver who has gained all over the place, greater than anybody else, there can now not be excuses for not seizing the System 1 world championship.
The automotive should reside as much as the seven-time world champion and Charles Leclerc, who, in his seventh season with the Italian workforce, has a singular alternative: to win his first world title by defeating the driving force who rewrote System 1’s information. Final Monday may be remembered because the day marking the daybreak of a brand new golden age for Ferrari or, at worst, one other grand imaginative and prescient with no comfortable ending. Those that care concerning the destiny of the purple workforce hope to be on the daybreak of a brand new period of victories, no matter who will lead the historic Italian workforce to success as envisioned by president John Elkann.
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