From the first picture showing Lewis Hamilton on his first official visit to Ferrari, there’s a lot to be read – from his clothing to the numerology in the background
The biggest crossover event of the 2025 Formula One season – Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari – began last weekend with a first glimpse of what is to come.
“Sir Lewis” heralded his new era on Instagram. He stood in front of Enzo Ferrari’s house on the team’s premises in Modena, while a Ferrari F40 loomed into the picture.
The picture alone was the first milestone in a fascinating new chapter of Hamilton’s career. It was also more than just a snapshot.
There’s a lot to be read from this first image of Hamilton being welcomed to his new home by Ferrari – what he’s wearing, who took it, and even some fun numerology in the background.
Clothes make the moment
The seven-time world champion and reigning style icon of the paddock marked his first official visit to Maranello with a stylish 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 as he posed for photos at the historic Enzo Ferrari house.
Hamilton went for elegant attire: a double-breasted Ferragamo overcoat over a vintage pinstriped suit and skinny black tie, with a crisp Ferrari-themed button-down. (Whether wearing the house brand was an obligation or a wise decision by Hamilton’s stylist Eric McNeal—who knows?)
New era @ScuderiaFerrari pic.twitter.com/EVUjKNC3MO
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) January 20, 2025
Hamilton wore his signature silver earrings and matching ring, along with a pair of patent-leather Louboutin boots.
The business look comes just a month after Hamilton underwent a symbolic change in his attire for his last race with Mercedes, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
On that occasion, he appeared in an all-white outfit on Friday and then in a white and red outfit on Saturday. The transformation was complete on Sunday, when he took to the track in a red Dior shirt with a band collar and matching baggy trousers in a Ferrari look.
Count the windows…
There may be more to Hamilton’s first Ferrari portrait than meets the eye. As Sundaram Ramaswamy (known as @f1statsguru on Instagram) noted, the now-iconic image of him posing outside Enzo Ferrari’s house features seven open windows in the background.
Conveniently, that happens to be the number of world titles Hamilton has won. And there is a door that opens in Ferrari’s house, potentially leading to the eighth world title that Hamilton is aiming for.
The man behind the image
The man who captured Hamilton’s first day on the job – and all the symbolism – was American photographer Andre Wagner. He photographed Hamilton for the Sunday Times Style last year.
And he has also photographed other celebrities for print media: Beyonce for Essence, NBA player Steph Curry for Rolling Stone and musician Jon Baptiste for Citizen.
Wagner’s involvement has led some fans to wonder if the two will be photographing anything else this week – perhaps a magazine cover to coincide with Hamilton’s Ferrari debut?