Hamilton's move to Ferrari in 2025 stunned the F1 world, and his official unveiling featured him posing in a black suit outside Enzo Ferrari's house in Maranello with a red Ferrari F40. According to Autosprint, Hamilton requested that the F40 behind him be the black edition to emphasize the fight against racism, but Ferrari denied this, sticking to traditional red. Autosprint reported that Ferrari cited the mantra 'Ferrari remains while drivers come and go' as the reason.
Hamilton, the only black driver in F1 history, has spoken openly about facing discrimination growing up. The F40 was made to celebrate Ferrari's 40th anniversary and was the last Ferrari personally approved by founder Enzo Ferrari. Hamilton endured a nightmare first year at Ferrari, regularly outpaced by teammate Charles Leclerc, though he won the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race early in 2025 but failed to secure a grand prix podium that year.
Following the 2026 F1 regulation changes, Ferrari emerged as the second-fastest car behind Mercedes, and Hamilton looks much happier, finishing fourth at the season opener in Australia in 2026. He claimed his maiden Ferrari podium at the Chinese Grand Prix in 2026 after a thrilling battle with Charles Leclerc. In the current competitive landscape, Hamilton qualified sixth for the Japanese Grand Prix in 2026, with Mercedes locking out the front row as Kimi Antonelli took pole ahead of George Russell.
Oscar Piastri secured third place for McLaren in qualifying, one spot clear of Charles Leclerc, while world champion Lando Norris starts fifth. Max Verstappen qualified a distant 11th for the Japanese Grand Prix, out-qualified by Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar.