Hidden details in Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari factory visit photo

The 2025 Formula 1 season’s biggest crossover event — Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari — kicked off this weekend with our first look at what’s to come. Sir Lewis hard launched his new era on Instagram, dressed to the nines, standing in front of Enzo Ferrari’s house on the team’s Modena grounds while a Ferrari F40 poked into the frame. The image was, by itself, the first mile marker in what will be a fascinating new section of Hamilton’s career.

It was also more than just a tossed-off snapshot. There’s plenty to read into that first image of Hamilton being welcomed by Ferrari into his new home — what he’s wearing, who shot it, even some fun numerology to the background (more on that momentarily). Here’s what you might’ve missed if you just hit the like button and kept scrolling.

The clothes make the moment

The seven-time world champion and reigning paddock style icon marked his first official visit to Maranello with a sartorial nod to classic Italian menswear. The 40-year-old arrived at the Ferrari factory on Monday exuding timeless elegance that rivaled the iconic F40 parked next to him while he posed for photos at Enzo Ferrari’s historic home.

Hamilton aimed for sharp-dressed sophistication: a double-breasted Ferragamo coat over a vintage pinstripe double-breasted suit and slim black tie, plus a crisp Ferrari Style button down. (Whether repping the house brand was an obligation or a savvy choice by Hamilton’s stylist Eric McNeal, who knows?) Hamilton accessorized with his signature silver hoop earrings and a matching ring, along with a pair of patent leather Louboutin boots.

The all-business looks comes just one month after Hamilton completed a symbolic sartorial transformation in his final race with Mercedes, at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Back then, he showed up Friday in an all-white outfit, then Saturday in a white-and-red outfit. The transition was complete come Sunday, when he stepped out in a Ferrari-coded red Dior band collar shirt with matching baggy trousers. 

Counting windows

There might have been a lot more to Hamilton’s first Ferrari portrait than just the clothing. As Sundaram Ramaswamy (aka @f1statsguru on Instagram) pointed out, the instantly iconic image of him posing in front of Enzo Ferrari’s house featured seven open windows in the background — conveniently, the number of world titles Hamilton has won. And then there’s a door, leading into Ferrari’s house, potentially opening up to an elusive eighth world championship Hamilton’s chasing. 

Relatedly: trainer Andrea Cullen quietly hinted this past weekend at her now-official reunion with Hamilton using some similar numerology: an Instagram post showing her on a ski slope wearing a red jacket, with a sign bearing the number 44 in the background. She shut down her Instagram account soon after posting, though. 

The man behind the image

The man capturing Hamilton’s first day on the job — and all that symbolism — was U.S. photographer Andre Wagner. He’s shot Hamilton before, for the Sunday Times Style last yea. And he’s also shot other major celebrities for print: Beyoncé for Essence, NBA playerSteph Curry for Rolling Stone, and musician Jon Baptiste for Citizen. Wagner’s involvement left some fans wondering if the two may be shooting something else this week — maybe a magazine cover to coincide with Hamilton’s Ferrari debut? 

What comes next

Hamilton will make his track debut with the team on Wednesday when he drives the F1-75 from the 2022 season at Ferrari’s private Fiorano circuit. He has already spent time with team principal Frederic Vasseur and Ferrari’s executive team, along with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, who previously worked with Carlos Sainz. After posing for snaps, it’s understood that Hamilton took a spin on the simulator, then checked on his new seat and steering wheel, ensuring the adjustments he requested were carried out.

“There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days,” Hamilton captioned Wagner’s photo on Instagram. “I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. I couldn’t be happier to realise that dream today.”