F1 | Ferrari F44: Maranello’s refusal that infuriates Hamilton
A request made behind closed doors, a project that quietly disappeared, and a growing sense of frustration: this is the story behind Lewis Hamilton’s would-be Ferrari F44.
In the latest episode of “Terruzzi racconta,” Giorgio Terruzzi — together with Pino Allievi and Stefano Nicoli — revealed a behind-the-scenes story that has been circulating for weeks inside Maranello: the alleged Ferrari F44, a project that, according to the journalist, Lewis Hamilton had hoped would become a special model celebrating his arrival in red.
Terruzzi introduced the topic by calling it “a little story coming from inside Ferrari,” but its content quickly took on far more serious weight. “The title is F44, does that ring a bell?” he teased. From there, he reconstructed the events: Lewis Hamilton reportedly asked for (and received assurances about) the possibility of creating a special model dedicated to him, to be included in Ferrari’s future production. However, the project was said to have been “abandoned, or at least shelved,” generating major frustration for the seven-time world champion. “This thing made him furious,” Giorgio Terruzzi stated.
Pino Allievi highlighted the symbolic value of Ferrari’s celebratory models and heavily criticized the idea behind Lewis Hamilton’s request: “The F40 was a car celebrating Ferrari’s 40 years, wanted by Enzo Ferrari, and now you make an F44 because a driver is crying? I’d say Ferrari is doing the right thing.”
The big arrival of Hamilton
Allievi then tried to put the situation into perspective: for him, Lewis Hamilton could still request a special edition — a common practice among extremely high-profile clients. But Nicoli reminded everyone of the media context surrounding the whole story: “Ever since Hamilton was announced, people have been talking about him for two years. Ferrari rode an enormous wave of hype.”
Giorgio Terruzzi described the supposed F44 project as a kind of “glamorous cherry on top” of an extraordinary sporting marriage, one that now appears strained by results far below expectations. And indeed, for the former Mercedes driver, 2025 has become a brutal year: Hamilton described this season as “the worst of my career,” especially after qualifying last in Las Vegas — something that had never happened before when he managed to complete a timed lap.
Pino Allievi then drew a heavy parallel: “It reminds me of Schumacher when he moved to Mercedes,” he said, emphasizing how even the greatest drivers can go through downward phases. Giorgio Terruzzi and Nicoli agreed: time catches up with everyone, and the 2026 season will be decisive in understanding whether Hamilton can still fight at the highest level or whether his performance curve is entering its declining stage.
