Mercedes ace Lewis Hamilton has five Italian Grand Prix victories to his name but going into this weekend's Formula 1 race at Monza for the last time before joining Ferrari will make it a different experience.
Hamilton announced in February he will leave Mercedes to race with the Italian team next season, and F1's most successful driver of all time is looking forward to racing in front of the Italian fans.
At Monza on Thursday, Hamilton told reporters: "I'm not going to lie, it definitely does feel a little bit different. I mean, it always feels special when you come here. We're coming here at a decent time in terms of the weather's incredible.
"The huge changes that were made to the track. The passion here and the excitement that they really bring to this race is really not particularly matched in too many places," mused the Briton.
Hamilton broke collective Tifosi hearts on all five occasions he won what is Ferrari's most important race on the calendar when he powered by Mercedes to Italian GP wins in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018. Next year he will be one of them!
Nevertheless this weekend, Hamilton is unsure of what kind of welcome awaits him this weekend, but the seven-times world champion said he had always enjoyed a friendly reception from the Monza crowd aka Tifosi: "I don't know what to expect."
Racing in the Red of Ferrari is every F1 driver's dream job
Hamilton continued: "Over the last few years, I've had a really warm welcome every time I've come, to be honest. There was one time when we were really fighting against Ferrari. I can't remember what year that was, but even then, people were positive.
"I've heard 'viene in Ferrari' quite a lot. And so it'll be interesting to see how that is this year. But already in Imola, for example, I got a really warm reception," added Hamilton.
It will also be a special weekend for 18-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli who will make his F1 practice debut on Friday with Mercedes and is expected to be George Russell's teammate in 2025 and beyond.
Hamilton continued: "I said a long time ago that I think that's who the team should choose moving forward. And time will tell what they end up deciding to do. I think it'd be good for people to remember he is just turning 18, and he's got a bright future ahead of him. I'm really excited to see and watch his progress."
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