Red Mist: Scuderia Ferrari & Lewis Hamilton. It's Hammertini Time!

So much is clear for a number of reasons. Not least last week’s Time Magazine cover story. When was the last time Formula 1 vied with world leaders and thugs for a slot in the sun as important as that? Hamilton's entente with Aroma the Stallion - playing Il Cavalino Rampante - and the rest of that story is a compelling read. Be sure to do so.

It's more than just about Time. That Time cover piece isn’t the only major recent sign of the significance of Lewis’ move to Maranello. John Elkann, Fiat scion and the most powerful man at Ferrari – and plausibly in Europe – has not cared less for the team in the recent past. His visits to Grands Prix were sporadic at best. Testing? Never!

But there he was. Pink pants, blue blazer and all. In Bahrain last week strutting about with Fred smiling like a cheshire cat. Red Mist does not need more than those two seismic events to remind him how important Lewis and Ferrari are in Formula 1. But there’s more. Much more.

How Lewis Hamilton rocks up at a Grand Prix has been a talking point for many seasons, a bizarre impromptu fashion ramp across the paddock whenever he arrived. We were never sure what he’d wear on a race Friday morning.

Would Lewis arrive to work on the Fridays of GP weekends, sporting a dishevelled beggar look or a purple kids' cartoon character? Mostly a joke IMO. Nevertheless, interesting. But those were the Mercedes years. This is Ferrari time.

So what’s the bet that Lewis will look completely different next Friday morning? Cut, pure and perfect. Wearing something between his white Time suit or the black one he had on that day he pitched at Maranello? Ready to win. Time (sic) certainly will tell.

The point is, Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari is far bigger than just racing. Even in the heady Schumacher years, three or four wild tifosi would hang on the fence to watch Michael at Fiorano. These days you’ll find four or five guys waiting there at three in the morning. Just in case Lewis comes out later that day. And thousands when he does.

I’d go so far as to say that Lewis Hamilton does not need to win for us at Ferrari. Just being there seems enough to justify the investment. The casino around everything Hamilton does is the perfect brand storm. But win he will. I’d go as far as to spot a wager on an outside shot of us being champion. This year. Or next.

He’s the best thing that’s happened at Maranello. Lewis and Ferrari are the biggest Formula 1 thing for years. Forza Ginetto, Forza Ferrari! Time really will tell…