Ferrari Said ‘No’ to a Black F40 for Hamilton’s First Photo

Legacy over style: Ferrari denied Hamilton’s request for a black F40, prioritising tradition over personal expression in a landmark photoshoot.

Ferrari made a bold decision to protect its legacy — even if it meant saying no to Lewis Hamilton.

When the seven-time world champion visited Maranello for the first time as a Ferrari Formula 1 driver, fans were treated to an iconic photo: Hamilton in a sleek black suit and overcoat, standing next to the legendary Ferrari F40. The image, posted on his Instagram, has racked up over 5.7 million likes.

But behind the scenes, things could have looked very different.

Hamilton had asked Ferrari if the F40 featured in the shoot could be black — a color he felt would better represent his personal mission of promoting social justice, fighting discrimination, and championing inclusion. A black F40 would have made a powerful statement.

Ferrari, however, politely declined.

According to insiders, it wasn’t because a black F40 didn’t exist or wasn’t available — it was about principle. The F40’s iconic red isn’t just a color; it’s part of Ferrari’s soul. Allowing a black version in such a symbolic photo would, in their view, compromise a piece of the brand’s identity.

Even for Hamilton — one of the most influential drivers in the sport’s history — Ferrari chose to stand firm. The message was clear: at Maranello, the legacy of the Prancing Horse comes first.

• Discover More>Lewis Hamilton Wants His Own Ferrari Supercar: Meet the F44

Toto Wolff, Hamilton’s former boss at Mercedes, praised the photo regardless.

“I told him those photos were iconic,” Wolff said. “They were incredibly well done — but that’s no surprise when it’s Lewis.”

• Discover More>Alpine F1: Jack Doohan Walks Away from High-Speed Crash in Suzuka FP2
• Follow us on >FACEBOOK and >TWITTERfor F1 updates

Hamilton’s Black F40 Dream Shut Down by Ferrari Hamilton’s Black F40 Dream Shut Down by Ferrari