When Lewis Hamilton was dominating System 1 with Mercedes, he expressed curiosity in creating a particular version of the AMG One. Nevertheless, that was again in 2019, and there’s been no phrase since on a bespoke model of the System 1-powered hypercar. Now a Ferrari driver, the seven-time F1 champion is as soon as once more desirous to collaborate on a street-legal automobile, this time carrying the Prancing Horse. He has even assigned it a reputation already: F44.

Our sister web site Motorsport.com quotes Hamilton saying he needs to assist develop a road-going Ferrari that pays tribute to the F40. Making a worthy successor to the long-lasting supercar can be no small feat, not simply due to its significance in Ferrari’s lineage. The legendary F40 was the final mannequin personally accredited by Enzo Ferrari earlier than his passing in 1988, a 12 months after its debut.

“One of many issues I actually need to do is I need to design a Ferrari. I need to do an F44. Baseline of an F40, with the precise stick shift. That is what I am gonna work on for the following few years.”

It’s no shock that he selected the F40. On his first official day at Ferrari, the British racing driver posed subsequent to the V8-powered machine in Maranello. Even earlier than switching groups, Hamilton had already constructed a formidable Ferrari assortment along with his hard-earned cash, together with the 599 GTO and LaFerrari, together with their convertible (Aperta) variations. Whereas an F40 isn’t at the moment in his storage, McLaren rival Lando Norris reportedly owns one of many 1,311 examples produced between 1987 and 1992.

Whereas Hamilton’s concept may look like mere wishful pondering, studies recommend Ferrari is genuinely contemplating an F40 revival. Final November, Prime Gear journal claimed it might be part of the ultra-exclusive “Icona” collection alongside the Monza SP1/SP2 and Daytona SP3. Rumor has it that the automobile can be primarily based on the outdated LaFerrari quite than the brand new F80 and that it could forgo the hybrid part of its V-12 powertrain.

However what if we instructed you Ferrari has already revisited the F40? In 2018, the automaker unveiled the SP38 as a one-off creation primarily based on the 488 GTB. Commissioned by “one in all Ferrari’s most devoted prospects,” the bespoke challenge borrowed design cues from one of the vital iconic poster vehicles of the Nineteen Eighties. Nevertheless, what Hamilton is suggesting, and what studies are alleging, is {that a} absolutely fledged F40 tribute could possibly be on the horizon.

Within the meantime, Hamilton has larger fish to fry. His debut season with Ferrari isn’t off to the very best begin. He completed tenth in Australia and sixth in final weekend’s Chinese language Grand Prix. To make issues worse, he was disqualified after yesterday’s race when scrutineers discovered extreme put on on the rear underbody of his automobile.

The 40-year-old driver should first turn into aggressive within the SF-25 earlier than discovering time to work on facet initiatives.

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