Lewis Hamilton finds silver linings at Imola with season’s best finish

Lewis Hamilton Delivers Strong Performance at Imola, Captures Hearts of Ferrari Fans

Lewis Hamilton was all smiles after an eventful weekend at Imola, where the seven-time world champion enjoyed his best finish of the Formula 1 season and a strong showing for Ferrari. Despite a dismal qualifying session, Hamilton fought back brilliantly to claim fourth place, marking the first time he has bested teammate Charles Leclerc during a race since joining Ferrari in January.

The Italian Grand Prix weekend began with Ferrari suffering its worst qualifying results in seven races. While Leclerc managed only 11th and Hamilton followed in 12th, Italian media branded the effort a “disaster.” Yet the Sunday turnaround had Ferrari fans roaring with delight, as Hamilton climbed to fourth while Leclerc finished sixth — a noticeable improvement over their starting positions.

Hamilton Reflects on His "Mega Race"

Reflecting on the performance, Hamilton was emphatic about his joy, calling it "an absolutely mega race" and pointing to the many positives. "China was really great, but I would say this one was better," he told reporters. "I've always loved fighting from further back and working your way through the field. That’s how I started off as a kid. It’s such a better feeling than starting first and finishing first."

Hamilton credited Ferrari for making "fantastic" strategy calls, which, along with the car’s set-up, contributed to his strong performance. "I think we made a bit of an improvement in our performance for the race. We've just got to unlock the potential in qualifying," he added. "If we had qualified better, we would have been fighting for a podium, which is something we didn’t think would be possible."

Race Dynamics Add Intrigue

The race dynamics offered another layer of intrigue, as Hamilton initially lost ground to Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli — the 18-year-old who now occupies Hamilton's former seat — before regaining momentum on hard tires and ultimately thriving on the switch to mediums. The Briton’s calculated patience paid off as the car seemed to come alive in the second half of the race.

Ferrari’s Home Racing Experience

Imola wasn’t just about results for Hamilton — it was also a deeply emotional moment, racing as part of Ferrari at the team’s home circuit. With the weekend attendance reported at 242,000 (up from 200,000 last year), the wave of red-shirted fans flooding the stands, waving flags, and crowding the catch fences created an unforgettable atmosphere.

"It's been incredible. What an amazing experience," Hamilton said, acknowledging the unique connection Ferrari shares with its fanbase, known as the Tifosi. "You can just see how passionate people are for Ferrari. I guess it doesn’t matter who’s in it; they just love to see the red cars. The red car comes and they get so excited: Red, red! It’s amazing to see, it’s really cool."

Hamilton’s Emotional Connection to Ferrari

Hamilton admitted it was surreal to be on the receiving end of the Tifosi’s adoration. He recounted childhood memories of sitting on the couch with a bacon sandwich, watching Michael Schumacher connect with Ferrari fans and marveling at their devotion.

"It was quite an incredible experience to think that I’m now here in one of the two Ferraris and having that connection with such a passionate group of people. It’s unbelievable."

During the parade lap, Hamilton absorbed the scene in his own way — filming the vibrant crowd, capturing the memorial dedicated to Ayrton Senna (who tragically passed away at Imola in 1994), and reflecting on the magnitude of the moment.

"It reminded me of my youth and seeing Ferrari doing so well back then. To be a part of it now is really something special."

Looking Ahead: Building Momentum

For Hamilton, the weekend may have fallen short of a podium finish, but the experience left a lasting impression — both on and off the track. With confidence and synergy building between himself and the car, the Briton now looks ahead, sensing the potential for even greater achievements as the season unfolds.

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