Hamilton’s dream car returns to life in Maranello

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When you’re a seven-time F1 world champion, some childhood dreams never fade – they just move to Maranello.

Lewis Hamilton has officially united two automotive icons: himself and the legendary Ferrari F40. Standing inside the Italian manufacturer’s workshop alongside his newly acquired treasure, Hamilton has just revealed a passion project that connects his childhood aspirations directly to his career in red.

"My very own F40. This is the car of my dreams and has been for as long as I can remember. As a kid I dreamt of having one. 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," the Briton shared on Instagram.

Discovered after decades of dormancy, the iconic twin-turbo supercar is now receiving the ultimate revival directly from the masters at Ferrari Classiche.

"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. Stay tuned …"

Some dreams, it seems, really are worth waiting a lifetime for.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.