Hamilton shares story behind rare Ferrari F40 arrival at Monza ahead of Italian GP

Summary

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were both disappointed with Ferrari's qualifying performance at Monza, questioning Ferrari's ability after a near Q2 exit. Meanwhile, Mercedes showed strong form, with George Russell topping final practice and leading Hamilton in the session before qualifying. Hamilton is targeting a pole position, describing it as a 'dream,' as Mercedes appears to have an advantage over Ferrari. Juan Pablo Montoya also foresees potential tension between Hamilton and Leclerc during the race, adding to the drama at the Italian GP.

The Full Story

Lewis Hamilton made a striking entrance to the 2026 Italian Grand Prix paddock by driving his rare Ferrari F40 to the Monza circuit on Thursday, ahead of the weekend’s race. The seven-time world champion revealed the remarkable history behind the car, which had been left untouched for years before he acquired and restored it. Hamilton described the F40 as a “dream car” and explained how he sought out the most authentic example he could find, one with low mileage and a compelling story.

The car’s previous owner had driven it only once, covering a mere 69 kilometers from Maranello to his home, before parking it and never starting it again. The passenger door had never been opened, and the car was covered in dust under a protective cover. Hamilton said he wrestled with the decision of whether to keep it as an untouched art piece or restore it to driving condition. Ultimately, he chose to have it refurbished because he wanted to drive it into the paddock, making a memorable statement at Ferrari’s home race.

During the restoration process, Hamilton discovered an extraordinary detail: the engine bore the number 44, his own racing number. “I was like, ‘you’ve got to be lying,’” he said, calling it a moment of fate. The car’s mechanical components had stood the test of time remarkably well, with hardly anything needing replacement after decades of inactivity. Hamilton sees the F40 as a way to connect with Ferrari’s rich heritage beyond the racetrack, emphasizing the brand’s global cultural impact and the iconic status of its cars.

On the sporting side, Hamilton’s Ferrari team faced a challenging qualifying session at Monza. Both he and teammate Charles Leclerc narrowly avoided elimination in Q2 by fractions of a second, with Hamilton surviving by just 0.001 seconds and Leclerc by 0.008 seconds. Hamilton expressed frustration over the team’s qualifying execution and the lack of pace in Q2, despite feeling confident after practice sessions. He cited possible issues with tire pressures or temperatures and admitted that his rhythm was disrupted during the crucial Q3 runs, which prevented him from maximizing his lap times [1].

Leclerc echoed the concerns, acknowledging the difficulty of optimizing the power unit at Monza and the various issues the team had to manage behind the scenes. He praised Alpine’s Pierre Gasly for securing pole position with a flawless performance but insisted that Ferrari must now focus on recovering lost ground. Both drivers benefited from a penalty applied to Oscar Piastri, who was penalized for impeding Liam Lawson in Q2, promoting Hamilton to fourth on the grid and Leclerc to fifth [1].

Ferrari arrived at Monza with their second engine upgrade of the season, aiming to close the straight-line speed gap to Mercedes. The upgrade appeared to have improved their competitiveness, but Mercedes driver George Russell topped final practice, setting the fastest time and establishing himself as the favorite for pole position. Russell’s teammate and championship leader, Kimi Antonelli, was hampered by engine penalties that would relegate him to the back of the grid regardless of qualifying results. Hamilton acknowledged the tight competition from Mercedes and McLaren, describing the qualifying battle as “very close” and a “dream” opportunity to claim pole at Ferrari’s home race [2][3].

A strategic element added intrigue to qualifying: Ferrari designated Hamilton to have priority in choosing the qualifying run order, giving him the advantage of selecting when to go out on track. At Monza, where slipstreaming on the long straights is crucial, this priority could provide a significant edge. Leclerc confirmed that the team alternates this priority between drivers at different races and that Hamilton would likely use it to secure the best possible tow. Both drivers expressed a cooperative approach to maximizing their qualifying performance, with Leclerc hoping to find a slipstream from another car if needed [5].

The weekend also carries championship implications. Hamilton trails Antonelli by 59 points but benefits from the latter’s penalty that will see the championship leader start from the back. Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris, who has won the last two races, is closing the gap to the top. The intra-team dynamic at Ferrari remains under scrutiny, especially after recent strategy decisions that frustrated Hamilton. Former driver Juan Pablo Montoya predicted potential tension between Hamilton and Leclerc at Monza, given the high stakes and the pressure to perform on Ferrari’s home turf [4].

As the Italian Grand Prix weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on how Hamilton and Leclerc manage their qualifying runs and race strategies, particularly with Hamilton’s rare F40 symbolizing his deepening connection to Ferrari’s legacy. The team’s ability to capitalize on their engine upgrade and the tactical use of qualifying priority could be decisive in challenging Mercedes and McLaren for victory at the historic Monza circuit.