Fittipaldi: ‘All of Italy Will Pause’ to Witness Hamilton – ‘The Streets of Maranello and Fiorano Will Overflow…Creating a Spectacle Unseen in Years

  Fittipaldi Predicts: ‘All of Italy Will Pause’ for Hamilton’s Ferrari Debut

Two-time Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi forecasts that when Lewis Hamilton makes his competitive debut with Ferrari, the entire nation of Italy will come to a halt, captivated by the historic moment.

    The Deep Bond Between Ferrari and Italy

Ferrari is more than just a racing team for Italians—it’s a national icon. The idea of Hamilton, a seven-time world champion with a massive global following, driving for Ferrari has ignited widespread excitement throughout Italy.

“Ferrari’s resurgence is thrilling. Imagine Lewis at Ferrari. The whole of Italy will stop on that Sunday to watch Lewis drive a Ferrari!” Fittipaldi remarked, underlining the significance of this event for a nation that treats F1 Sundays as a cherished tradition.

Hamilton is stepping into a team that hasn’t claimed a Drivers’ Championship since Kimi Räikkönen’s victory in 2007, bringing with him the hopes of millions as he seeks an unprecedented eighth title.

    A Dream Come True: Hamilton’s Ferrari Challenge

Fittipaldi views Hamilton’s move to Ferrari as the ultimate challenge in his storied career, marking a defining chapter.

“Lewis’s drive to succeed and his challenge of joining Ferrari is monumental,” Fittipaldi said. “Every driver dreams of racing for Ferrari. For Lewis, at this stage in his career, joining Ferrari, especially with Frederic Vasseur, who was pivotal in his early career days, is a perfect fit.”

The reunion with Vasseur, Hamilton’s former team principal during his time in Formula 3 and Formula 2, adds another layer of intrigue to this significant career move.

“I can’t wait to see the next season,” Fittipaldi added. “It’s going to be thrilling for Lewis, and Formula 1 has become incredibly competitive.”

### ‘Hamilton Mania’ Sweeps Italy

The anticipation for Hamilton’s debut has already sparked a wave of enthusiasm, dubbed ‘Hamilton mania,’ across Italy.

Motorsport.com’s Italian journalist Robert Chinchero described the fervor surrounding Hamilton’s upcoming appearance at Ferrari’s Fiorano Circuit on January 21. He predicts massive crowds eager to witness this historic moment.

“The streets around Maranello and Fiorano will be packed with fans,” Chinchero noted on the James Allen on F1 podcast. “It will be a spectacle unlike any seen in recent years.”

Thousands are expected to flock to the circuit, turning Hamilton’s first laps in a Ferrari into a national festival. Authorities are preparing for the influx, with Chinchero humorously commenting, “The police will have their hands full managing the crowd.”

With Ferrari’s profound cultural importance in Italy and Hamilton’s status as Formula 1’s most successful driver, this partnership is setting the stage for one of the sport’s most eagerly awaited seasons.

Fittipaldi, speaking on talkSPORT’s On Track podcast, vividly described the mounting excitement in Italy as the countdown to Hamilton’s debut in Ferrari red continues.