Key Highlights
- Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has published a comprehensive YouTube video documenting the restoration of his 1991 Ferrari F40.
- The classic supercar had been parked in a garage and never started since 1991, registering only 69 kilometers on the odometer before Ferrari’s factory engineers revived it in Maranello.
- Hamilton initially revealed the restored vehicle earlier this Formula 1 season ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, featuring a photo shoot on the historic banked circuit at Monza.
Lewis Hamilton Shares Full Video of Ferrari F40 Restoration
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has released the full video detailing the extensive restoration of his classic Ferrari F40 on YouTube. The release follows the initial unveiling of the supercar earlier this year ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, providing automotive enthusiasts with an inside look at the revival of one of Maranello’s most celebrated road cars.
The journey of Hamilton’s F40 began with an extraordinary backstory: the vehicle was essentially preserved in time for more than three decades. Speaking as he removed the protective red cover from the car at the beginning of the video, the British driver explained:
“When I joined Ferrari, my first shoot with the team was with this car. It was… It’s just such an iconic car. It’s one of the most iconic cars ever. And this car was picked up here in 1991. And the guy drove it 69km and parked in his garage, and it’s never started since.”
Reviving an Automotive Icon in Maranello
The video features a photographic montage documenting the meticulous overhaul conducted by specialists at the Ferrari headquarters in Maranello. Viewers are then shown the moment the Scuderia driver sets eyes on the fully restored machine for the very first time. As he inspected the immaculate finish, Hamilton could not contain his excitement:
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“She looks so good!” he exclaimed as he circled the car with a wide smile on his face. “Wow! She looks brand new.”
After stepping into the cabin and pausing for a moment, Hamilton fired up the mid-mounted 2.9-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, which reverberated across the warehouse. The footage then captured the car being wheeled outside for its maiden drive, followed by behind-the-scenes footage from a photo shoot staged on the disused, steeply banked section of the historic Autodromo Nazionale Monza—a location that provided the backdrop for images shared across Ferrari’s racing channels earlier this season.
A Childhood Dream Realized
Reflecting on the personal significance of the project, Hamilton previously shared his emotional connection to the marquee model during its initial public reveal earlier this season:
“As a kid I dreamt of having one,” Hamilton wrote in a post about the car’s reveal earlier this F1 season. “When I joined Ferrari last year I made sure to have one with me on my first day at Maranello. That’s how much it means to me. These cars are works of art and incredibly rare, so when I found this one, covered in dust after being sat in a garage for over thirty years, I knew I had to bring her home. First to Maranello, where the master engineers and mechanics at the factory worked for weeks to bring her back to life. Massive thank you to everyone who had a hand in this project. This has truly been a dream come true. I can’t wait to share more with you all.”
Why This Matters
Lewis Hamilton’s acquisition and factory-backed restoration of the F40 underscore the deep cultural and historical ties that accompany driving for Scuderia Ferrari. The F40 was the final vehicle personally approved by company founder Enzo Ferrari before his death, giving it unmatched prestige in the brand’s road car lineage. By restoring a time-capsule example with essentially delivery mileage directly at the Maranello factory, Hamilton bridges his modern F1 career with the rich historical legacy of Italian motorsport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the condition of Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari F40 before restoration?
The 1991 Ferrari F40 was covered in dust after sitting in a garage for over thirty years. Its original owner drove it only 69 kilometers before parking it, and the engine had not been started since 1991.
Where was the restoration carried out?
The restoration was carried out directly at the Ferrari factory in Maranello, where the manufacturer’s master engineers and mechanics spent weeks returning the supercar to brand-new operating condition.
Where did Lewis Hamilton conduct the photo shoot for the restored F40?
Hamilton staged a photo shoot on the famous disused banked corner of the Monza racing circuit ahead of the Italian Grand Prix earlier this season.
