Lewis Hamilton gets new nickname 'Luigi' from Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur

Lewis Hamilton earned his best result as a Ferrari driver at the Canadian Grand Prix, finishing second behind Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes. But the most talked-about moment came after the chequered flag, when team principal Fred Vasseur referred to Hamilton as 'Luigi' over the team radio.

Why it matters:

The playful nickname reflects Hamilton's growing comfort within the Ferrari family, while his subsequent comments about staying in Formula 1 for 'quite some time' signal a long-term commitment to the Scuderia. It also adds a human touch to the intensely competitive environment.

The details:

• Vasseur's radio message: "Good job, Luigi." The Frenchman later burst into uncontrollable laughter when Sky F1's Ted Kravitz asked about it, confirming the nickname.
• Hamilton explained: "In Italy, they used to always call me 'Luigi' when I was a kid." The name is the Italian equivalent of Lewis.
• Hamilton's future: In the FIA press conference, he said: "There's a lot of people that are trying to retire me. That's not even on my thoughts. I still love what I do with all my heart and I'm going to be here for quite some time, so get used to it."
• Season so far: Hamilton's second podium (also third in China) puts him three points behind teammate Charles Leclerc in the standings. Leclerc has podiums in Australia and Japan.
• Monaco preview: Ferrari's SF-26, which lacks straight-line speed, is expected to be a contender on the tight streets of Monte Carlo, a circuit that rewards downforce and traction.
  • Hamilton is a three-time Monaco winner (2008, 2016, 2019).
  • Leclerc dominated his home race in 2024.

What's next:

The Monaco Grand Prix offers Ferrari a prime opportunity to challenge for a win. Hamilton's integration continues to improve, and the 'Luigi' moment shows the team's relaxed atmosphere. With both drivers on similar form, the intra-team battle is set to intensify.