Damon Hill cautions Lewis Hamilton against early Ferrari visit
As Lewis Hamilton prepares to race in Italy for the first time since announcing his 2025 Ferrari move, Damon Hill has warned the Briton against visiting Ferrari's Maranello base while still under contract with Mercedes.
The 2024 Formula 1 season has already delivered its fair share of drama, but one of the most significant storylines revolves around Lewis Hamilton's impending move to Ferrari for the 2025 campaign.
As the seven-time world champion prepares to race on Italian soil for the first time since announcing his multi-year contract with the Scuderia, anticipation is building regarding his reception from the passionate Ferrari fans, the "tifosi."
Rapturous reception expected
With the historic Imola circuit just 56 miles from Ferrari's Maranello headquarters, speculation is rife that Hamilton may visit the team's base after the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
F1 Nation podcast host Tom Clarkson predicted a rapturous reception for Hamilton from the tifosi, complete with chants, banners, and waves from the cockpit, creating "a real feel-good factor" at the first European round of the season.
Damon Hill's cautionary advice
However, 1996 world champion Damon Hill, who appeared alongside Clarkson on the podcast, warned Hamilton against visiting Ferrari's factory while still under contract with Mercedes.
Hill jokingly suggested that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff might be displeased with Hamilton "fraternising with the enemy" before his move, potentially asking him to "bring something back in terms of information."
Contract considerations
Hamilton himself has expressed uncertainty about whether Mercedes will allow him to start work with Ferrari before the 2025 season.
While it is not uncommon for drivers to be released early from their contracts ahead of significant moves, Hamilton has vowed to consult with Wolff on the matter, citing his previous experience of not joining Mercedes until December 2012, after the end of the season.
Professionalism and respect
Hill's cautionary advice highlights the delicate balance that Hamilton must strike between his impending move to Ferrari and his professionalism and respect for his current employers, Mercedes.
As a seasoned professional, Hamilton will undoubtedly navigate this situation with the utmost care, ensuring that he fulfills his obligations to Mercedes while also preparing for his future with Ferrari.
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