F1 legend Mario Andretti has bestowed a new Italian-inspired nickname upon Lewis Hamilton following his move to Ferrari.
The seven-time world champion will now be known as "Luigi" as he prepares to join the iconic Italian team.
Hamilton will drive alongside Charles Leclerc in Formula One next season, creating one of the most anticipated driver pairings on the grid.
The 40-year-old British driver has spoken of feeling revitalised by his switch to Ferrari as he pursues a record eighth world title.
Lewis Hamilton has been given the nickname of 'Luigi' following his move to Ferrari
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Hamilton has seamlessly settled into his new team, fully embracing Italian culture.
He has shown keen interest in learning the Italian language as part of his integration.
This cultural immersion caught the attention of F1 legend Andretti, who decided to give Hamilton the affectionate nickname.
"I'm going to call him Luigi from now on!" Andretti told Motorsport.com.
The nickname reflects Hamilton's enthusiasm for his new Italian surroundings.
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Lewis Hamilton has adjusted well to life at Ferrari following his move from Mercedes
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His transition to Ferrari appears to be going smoothly as he adapts to both the team and country's culture.
Andretti is eagerly anticipating the dynamic between Hamilton and Leclerc at Ferrari.
"Can you imagine the interest that the fans have just to see what's going to happen there? How is he going to fare vis-a-vis Charles Leclerc, who has been there for a long time and is very experienced and so forth?" Andretti said.
The F1 legend believes the competition will be beneficial for the team.
"It's going to be a challenge for both of them, and that's what the sport is all about. Ferrari is ultimately the one that's going to benefit the most," he explained.
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"You have two individuals that I feel are both capable of winning, no question, and what better place to be in if you're on a team?"
Hamilton joked about concerns over fitting into his Ferrari car after indulging in Italian cuisine earlier this week.
"The honest truth is I've had already quite a few pizzas, but somehow I've lost weight. Last week I had three pizzas!" he revealed.
His love for Italian cuisine has been a long-standing affair, predating his move to Ferrari.
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Despite his concerns, Hamilton appears to be managing his diet well, claiming he's actually lost weight despite his pizza consumption.
Hamilton's passion for Italian food runs deep throughout his career.
"I love Italian food, I always have," he admitted.
Penne arrabbiata tops his list of favourite dishes.
Lewis Hamilton will be hoping to win a record eighth F1 title in 2025
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He fondly recalled sharing gelato and pizza with former teammate Nico Rosberg.
One particularly memorable Italian dish has stayed with him since childhood.
"I had this unbelievable lasagne, which was made from my first mechanic, who was Luca Del Fante," Hamilton reminisced.
"His wife's mother made me the most insane lasagne when I was 13 years old, and I never forgot about it."
