OPINION: Hamilton in red – a fashion statement, or Ferrari’s future?

Morgan Bolton

I will admit, I do not understand fashion.

I can look at a Monet and appreciate the thin brushstrokes, the way he breathes life into the relatively mundane expressions of the human condition through experiments with light; or look at an Aston Martin DB9 and feel something stir in my stomach; or watch a movie and rant and rave about the cinematography, symbolism and artistic expression.

But when models are strutting down a runway wearing the latest haute couture, I’m left questioning reality.

Admittedly, if it were up to me, I would still be wearing my ’90s punk aesthetic – a T-shirt, long shorts, knee-high white socks and skater shoes, while exclaiming, “Grunge will rise again” to anyone who will listen.

Nevertheless, I will admit that Sir Lewis Hamilton does look good in red. It might even stir something in my stomach.

The seven-time world champion made his runway appearance in the colours of Scuderia Ferrari at F1’s glitzy 75th anniversary event in London earlier this week, and he looked rather dashing in Ferrari red.

It’s easy to understand his excitement – sashaying away with the Prancing Horse emblazoned on your chest remains the pinnacle of Formula 1, regardless of who you are, what you’ve achieved or the legacy you want to leave behind.

As Sebastian Vettel once said earnestly: “Everybody is a Ferrari fan.”

Hamilton certainly echoed that sentiment this week.

“I’m really conscious of the fact that there are only a handful of special first times,” he gushed. “The first kiss, the first date, the first time at school, the first day on the job.

“I honestly thought that I had all my first times, and that nothing was ever going to be new again. Even though I’ve raced for so long, I’m surprised at how much I love what I do.”

I hope Hamilton’s newfound enthusiasm translates into something special when he finally takes to the track for Ferrari, but I can’t say I am wholly convinced it will.

Just to be clear, Hamilton is a generational talent – one of the best there ever was, is, and will be.

Regardless of his accomplishments, I don’t think his move to Ferrari will pay immediate dividends or lead Ferrari to their first world drivers’ championship since Kimi Räikkönen in 2007, or their first constructors’ championship in 17 years.

Perhaps staying the course with Carlos Sainz, alongside Charles Leclerc, would be the better option for the upcoming season.

The concern is not so much Hamilton, to be fair – I mean, he is god-tier when it comes to racing, with arguably unmatched technical expertise.

The 40-year-old has also been working hard at integrating himself into the culture of his new team, living within the Maranello complex, next door to founder Enzo Ferrari’s house, and also taking Italian lessons to make things easier.

Rather, the concern persists due to the current rules and regulations.

They just don’t seem to fit with Hamilton’s style, who enjoys braking as late as possible, with as much speed into the corners as his car can possibly allow.

The ground effect of modern F1 cars just does not allow such an aggressive approach. The larger tyre profile has also made this style that much more difficult, as they are prone to lock-up while under heavy braking.

That, at least, were the woes that beset Hamilton last year at Mercedes.

Whether Ferrari has been able to engineer a car that negates that and complements Hamilton will only be fully known at the season-opening Australian GP in mid-March.

Before that, we’ll get to see Hamilton in pre-season testing next week, which could also give us an indication – sandbagging and all – of what to expect this season.

I dearly hope it is positive because, while Hamilton looks good in red, he looks even better when he is competing and standing on podiums.

* Morgan Bolton is the sports editor at Independent Media.