FORMULA One fans are convinced that the WINDOWS behind Lewis Hamilton in his Ferrari photo-shoot have a secret meaning.
Hamilton drove his new SF-24 for the first time this morning after arriving at Ferrari‘s HQ in Maranello.
The Brit posted a photo on social media of him standing outside a red house and next to a scarlet red Ferrari F40 on Monday.
But the picture, outside the home of team founder Enzo Ferrari, sparked a bizarre theory online.
Fans noted that the house had seven windows – a possible hint towards the number of World Drivers’ championships Hamilton has won.
But it was the red door in the middle, with the yellow flag above it, that had F1 enthusiasts excited.
People proposed that the door may symbolise that his arrival will open the gates to him winning a record-breaking eighth title.
Hamilton, who has logged the most race wins in F1 history (105), tied Michael Schumacher‘s seven titles in 2020.
A year later, his historic title fight with Max Verstappen saw him controversially miss out on breaking the record.
Race director Michael Masi was sacked from his role for his “human error” mistake in the final race of the season.
The Aussie failed to follow strict safety car rules in the Abu Dhabi GP finale and set up a final lap showdown between Hamilton and Verstappen.
The upshot was that Verstappen on fresh tyres was able to pass Hamilton half a lap from the end of the race and win the title.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=” Start of F1 races will look very different in 2025 with major change for first time in over a decade” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6366734377112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Hamilton, 40, will hope the iconic red brings him fresh joy and luck on the track this year.
One viral X user captioned their post: “7 windows and a door to 8th! šā„ļø.”
While another fan said: “Ferrari knew what they were doing with this photo – manifesting some destiny right here.”
A third added: “Hopefully Lewis can walk through that eighth door!”
Hamilton wrote on Instagram: “There are some days that you know youāll remember forever and today is one of those days.
“Iāve 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 couldnāt be happier to realise that dream today.
“Today we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I canāt wait to see what story we will write together.”
He becomes the 13th British driver to race for Ferrari in F1.
The 40-year-old is following in the footsteps of Nigel Mansell, Eddie Irvine and John Surtees – the last Brit to win the world title in red in 1964.
Ollie Bearman, who will drive for Haas on the 2025 grid, became the the first Brit to drive for Ferrari in the 21st century in Saudi Arabia last season.
Hamilton’s deal, reported to be worth Ā£363million including salary, bonuses, image rights and sponsorships, will run until 2027.
The Brit has just over a month to ease into life in scarlet red before pre-season testing commences in Bahrain on February 26.