LEWIS HAMILTON turned into Ferrari’s very own Father Christmas as he gave out presents to more than 1,000 employees.
The seven-time world champion visited the Maranello factory last week to spread some Christmas cheer to the struggling Italian team.
Hamilton personally presented each member of the Scuderia Ferrari team a typically British present of a Fortnum & Mason box.
Inside there was English breakfast tea, lemon curd cookies, tea cookies and a box of Neapolitan chocolates.
Inside each gift was a small card with a signed photo and a handwritten message: “Happy Holidays, From Lewis”.
It has been a frustrating season for Hamilton, who is still getting up to speeds with Ferrari.
He finished 86 points behind his teammate Charles Leclerc, and did not finish on the podium in a Grand Prix all season for the first time in his career.
The British 40-year-old did win the sprint race in China in March.
Hamilton arrived at Ferrari last season having spent 12-years racing for Mercedes where he won six of his seven world titles.
His title rival from 2021, Max Verstappen, said it was not nice to watch Hamilton struggle last term.
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The Red Bull driver said: “It has obviously not been a nice season for him at Ferrari.
“You notice that in everything, including the onboard radio. I have to tell you, it really hurts to see him like that.
“For me, too, to be honest. I don’t like seeing that.
“Stopping, I don’t know, because I don’t think he’s giving up. Lewis will definitely be there.”
The Dutchman also highlighted how difficult the transition from Mercedes to Ferrari has been for the Brit.
He said: “If you don’t feel secure or comfortable within the team dynamic you cannot be yourself and that has an impact,”
“You leave a team that has been your second family in Mercedes and you have built up such a career with them.
“Everyone benefited off that, Mercedes and Lewis and then going in a completely different route is not easy, plus you are going up against a guy (Charles Leclerc) that has been there for a while. It is very tough.”
Verstappen added that age is another element that is not in Hamilton’s favour.
He said: “And age is not on your side. You are not going to become faster at that age, not necessarily slower, but definitely not faster, whereas Charles is still getting better, so that is also not helping him.”
Hamilton turns 41 in January and remains under contract with Ferrari for the next two seasons.
