JUSTICE HAMILTON SEEKS TO BECOME FIRST BLACK DRIVER TO WIN FOR FERRARI IN….see more in comment

JUSTICE  HAMILTON SEEKS TO BECOME FIRST BLACK DRIVER TO WIN FOR FERRARI IN….see more in comment

   Lewis Hamilton says he has been reflecting on the significance of potentially becoming the first black Formula 1 driver to win for Ferrari at the Italian Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion, now in his second season with Ferrari, admitted the thought has been on his mind ahead of this weekend at Monza. Hamilton has already won at the Temple of Speed five times, putting him level with Michael Schumacher, but none of those came in Ferrari colours. “Winning in Monza for the first time with Ferrari is something I’ve witnessed Charles win in 2019, when I was on the podium with him. But to do it while I’m here would be phenomenal,” he said. “And the thought of if I did do that, probably I would be the only black driver to ever do that for Ferrari in Italy, maybe, in history.”[Leclerc]

    Hamilton’s quest for a first Ferrari home win comes with genuine momentum. He took his maiden victory for the team in Barcelona in June, and that result has boosted his hopes of mounting a championship challenge in year two with the Scuderia. He currently sits 59 points behind Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli with 11 rounds remaining, and his prospects at Monza have been helped further by Antonelli picking up a grid penalty for exceeding his permitted engine-part allocation. Reflecting on the weekend, Hamilton said: “I’ve really thought coming into this weekend… the sheer magnitude of the concept. The thought that there’s a first ahead of me, in the sense that potentially, if I was to win, you go into new territory.”

    Beyond the history, Hamilton is acutely aware of the weight of expectation that comes with racing for Ferrari at Monza. Thousands of passionate Tifosi are expected to pack the grandstands, and many factory staff will be in attendance. “The pressure is high. You also want to deliver for the team,” Hamilton said. “There’s all those people at the factory, many of them will get to come to this race, the Tifosi, who come in huge numbers and the passion is unmatched, and you want to deliver for them as well.” With FP1 already delivering a Ferrari 1-2 led by Leclerc and Hamilton, the stage is set for the Briton to try and turn reflection into reality on Sunday.