MONZA, Italy — Lewis Hamilton admitted his arrival on the Italian Grand Prix felt completely different this yr forward of his transfer to Ferrari in 2025.

Ferrari, F1’s most profitable group, and Monza, host of the Italian GP in yearly of the world championship period bar 1980, are synonymous with one another.

At first of this yr Hamilton agreed a contract which can see him change Carlos Sainz subsequent season.

“I am not going to lie, it undoubtedly does really feel a bit of bit completely different. It at all times feels particular while you come right here,” Hamilton mentioned throughout Thursday’s press convention.

“We’re coming right here at a good time when it comes to, the climate’s unimaginable as we speak, clearly the massive modifications they’ve made to the observe. There’s at all times such unimaginable ardour all through Italy simply within the tradition basically, however notably about racing.

“It is at all times thrilling simply to see the followers that we will see all through the weekend, the fervour and pleasure that they actually convey to this race is admittedly not notably matched in too many locations.”

Hamilton has not spoken an excessive amount of about his impending transfer since signing the contract, deciding as an alternative to focus on his closing yr with Mercedes.

The subject of the transfer dominated his media session forward of this yr’s race.

The seven-time world champion mentioned he has at all times had a very good vibe from Italy’s fanbase, generally known as the tifosi.

“I do not know what to anticipate. If I am trustworthy, over the previous couple of years, I’ve had a extremely heat welcome each time I’ve come to be trustworthy. There was one time we have been actually combating in opposition to Ferrari, I am unable to bear in mind what yr that was, however even then, individuals have been optimistic, there was by no means any negativity.”

Hamilton, who admitted his Italian remains to be not nice, then turned to future teammate Charles Leclerc, seated alongside him, and mentioned: “I believe over the previous few years, I’ve heard, is it vine Ferrari? How do you say come to Ferrari?”

Leclerc then laughed and replied: “Vieni Ferrari.”

To that, Hamilton mentioned: “Vieni Ferrari! So I heard that rather a lot. So it is going to be fascinating to see how that’s this yr. However already at Imola for instance, I obtained a extremely heat reception. There was this superb image of me, you and Fred, did you see it?”

Hamilton was referring to an image which portrayed him, Leclerc and Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur as angelic saints.