Hamilton REVEALS his favourite F1 game driver
Hamilton REVEALS his favourite F1 game driver
Lewis Hamilton's long-standing desire to drive for Ferrari traces back to his childhood, where he immersed himself in F1 video games,.
The seven-time world champion has admitted he would often taking on the virtual persona of Michael Schumacher -from the German superstar's early years in the sport.
The announcement earlier this month that Hamilton would depart from his Mercedes contract a year early to join Ferrari in 2025 sent shockwaves through the F1 community.
Ferrari, seeking to reclaim its former glory, has not clinched a drivers' championship since Kimi Raikkonen's triumph in 2007, with its last sustained period of success occurring during Schumacher's dominance from 2000 to 2004.
In an Instagram post, Hamilton expressed that driving for Ferrari had always been a "childhood dream", a sentiment he expanded upon during a news conference at preseason testing.
READ MORE: Geri Horner 'unfollows' Verstappen amid Red Bull internal investigation
Schumacher inspired Hamilton
The seven-time world champion's childhood fascination with Ferrari, fuelled by virtual experiences as Schumacher, has now materialised into a real-world opportunity as he prepares to join the iconic Italian team in 2025.
“I think for every driver growing up, watching history, watching Michael Schumacher in his prime, I think all of us sit in our garages, and you see the screen pop up, you see a driver in the red cockpit, and you wonder what it will be like to be surrounded by the red.” Hamilton said.
“You go to the Italian Grand Prix in Monza and you see the sea of red of Ferrari fans and you can only stand in awe of that. It is a team that has not had huge success since Michael’s days, and I see it as a huge challenge.
“As a kid I used to play the Grand Prix 2 computer game as Michael in that [Ferrari] car. It is definitely a dream, and I am really excited about it.”
Hamilton could have been mistaken in his memory given Schumacher was at Benetton in the Grand Prix 2 game based on the 1994 season.
In an interview with F1, Hamilton has also previously said that in other games he would also play as Ferrari's last world champion Kimi Raikkonen while the Finn was in his McLaren years.
“I remember before I got to Formula 1, in computer games I’d always be in Kimi’s car,” Hamilton laughed. “So I had this crazy experience of racing against him, losing a championship to him and then [having] lots of great battles [with him]."
READ MORE: Hamilton reveals his F1 'love-hate' relationship
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 team OFFICIALLY confirms signing of new lead driver
- 45 minutes ago
F1 News Today: Hamilton hints Newey Ferrari move as Verstappen takes swipe at F1 rival
- 2 hours ago
Newey Red Bull EXIT date revealed as F1 star confirmed at new team - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
Verstappen takes F1 swipe at Hamilton and rivals with ruthless remark
- Yesterday 22:57
Marko defends Ricciardo in 'unbelievable' idiot claim
- Yesterday 21:57
Hamilton hints at sensational Newey arrival at Ferrari
- Yesterday 20:57
Related news
Incredible statistic puts Verstappen AHEAD of Hamilton record
Fierce rival calls Hamilton F1's GOAT in surprise admission
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
Former F1 chief hits out at Hamilton 'EXCUSES'
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860