Lewis Hamilton hailed his drive from 12th to fourth at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix as his best yet for Ferrari and described it as an incredible experience. The race was won by Max Verstappen for Red Bull, who demonstrated strong pace and more than had the measure of the chasing McLarens. However, for Hamilton, alongside the performance, he also took huge encouragement from making a connection with the Ferrari faithful at their home race.
“It’s been incredible. What an amazing experience,” he said. “On the drivers’ parade lap I even took a picture of where there’s a memorial of Ayrton [Senna]. Just a sea of red everywhere.
“It was just really very reminiscent of when I was growing up watching, sitting at home on my couch, with a bacon sandwich watching Michael Schumacher here racing with Ferrari and seeing the connection he had with Ferrari.
“It was quite an incredible experience to think I’m now here in one of the two Ferraris and having that connection with such a passionate group of people. It’s unbelievable.”
Hamilton and Ferrari managed to turn their weekend here around after a woeful qualifying left him and his teammate, Charles Leclerc, in 12th and 11th on the grid respectively. In the race the car showed better form. Ferrari called their strategy well and Hamilton produced a series of incisive passes to move up to fourth, his best finish for the Scuderia. It was a drive he enjoyed more than his win in the sprint race at China this season.
“China was pretty great, but I would say this one was better,” he said. “I’ve always loved when you’re fighting from further back and coming through. That’s how I started off as a kid, [in karting] around Rye House. That’s always such a better feeling than starting first and finishing first. Definitely an absolutely mega race and so many positives to take from it.”
