Hidden details in a photograph from a visit to Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari factory

The biggest crossover event of the 2025 Formula 1 season – Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari – got underway this weekend, and we got our first have a look at what's to come back. Sir Lewis hard began a brand new era on Instagramdressed to perfection, standing in front of Enzo Ferrari's house on the team's facility in Modena, while a Ferrari F40 lurched into the frame. The photo itself marked the primary mile in an exciting latest chapter of Hamilton's profession.

It was greater than only a throwaway photo. There's loads to read in the primary photo of Hamilton being welcomed by Ferrari into his latest home – what he's wearing, who made it, and even some fun numerology within the background (more on that in a moment). Here's what you would possibly have missed in the event you just hit the “like” button and keep scrolling.

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Clothes create a moment

The seven-time world champion and reigning icon of paddock style celebrated his first official visit to Maranello with a sartorial nod to classic Italian menswear. The 40-year-old arrived on the Ferrari factory on Monday, exuding a timeless elegance that rivaled the long-lasting F40 parked next to him as he posed for photos at Enzo Ferrari's historic home.

Hamilton went for a smartly dressed, elegant look: a double-breasted Ferragamo coat over a vintage-style double-breasted pinstripe suit with a slim black tie and an announcement Ferrari-style button. (Whether representing the brand was an obligation or a deliberate selection by Hamilton's stylist, Eric McNeal, who knows?) Hamilton accessorized together with his signature silver hoop earrings and matching ring, in addition to a pair of patent Louboutin shoes.

The business look comes only a month after Hamilton made a symbolic sartorial transformation in his last race with Mercedes, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He then appeared on Friday in an all-white outfit, then on Saturday in a red and white outfit. The ordeal was complete on Sunday, when he stepped out in a red collared shirt with the Dior logo and Ferrari code and matching baggy trousers.

Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari

Photo: Ferrari

Counting windows

Hamilton's first portrait of Ferrari can have included far more than simply clothing. Like Sundaram Ramaswamy (aka @f1statsguru on Instagram) noted, the immediately iconic photo of him posing in front of Enzo Ferrari's house features seven open windows within the background – conveniently signifying the variety of world titles Hamilton has won. And then there's the door resulting in Ferrari's home, potentially opening to Hamilton's pursuit of an elusive eighth world champion.

Related: Coach Andrea Cullen quietly hinted at her now-official meeting with Hamilton last weekend using similar numerology: an Instagram post showing her on a ski slope in a red jacket, with an indication with the number 44 within the background. However, she closed her Instagram account immediately after publishing the post.

The man behind the painting

The man who immortalized Hamilton's first day on the job – and all that symbolism – was American photographer Andre Wagner. He had already shot Hamilton for Sunday Times style. currently yes. He also took print photos of other celebrities: Beyoncé for Being, NBA player Steph Curry's Rolling Stoneand musician Jon Baptiste for Citizen. Wagner's involvement has some fans wondering if the 2 might be shooting something else this week – perhaps a magazine cover to coincide with Hamilton's Ferrari debut?

What will occur next

Hamilton will make his track debut with the team on Wednesday, driving the F1-75 from the 2022 season at Ferrari's private track in Fiorano. He has already spent a while with team principal Frederic Vasseur and the Ferrari executive team, in addition to together with his latest race engineer, Riccardo Adami, who previously worked with Carlos Sainz. It is known that after posing for photos, Hamilton rolled over on the simulator after which checked his latest seat and handlebars, ensuring that the specified adjustments had been made.

“There are days you know you will remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days,” Hamilton captioned a photograph of Wagner on Instagram. “I have been fortunate to achieve things in my career that I never thought were possible, but a part of me has always clung to the dream of racing in the red. I couldn't be happier to make this dream come true today.”