In the ever-evolving narrative of Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton's impending move to Ferrari has ignited a wave of speculation, excitement, and analysis.
Among the many voices weighing in on the significance of the seven-time world champion's sensational transition is motorsport legend Jacky Ickx, whose storied career includes two memorable stints and a remarkable legacy with the Scuderia.
Ickx's comments on Hamilton's move offer unique insight into the mindset of a Ferrari driver and the profound allure of the team's incredible history.
The great Belgian driver is no stranger to the mystique of the House of Maranello.
Ickx competed in 54 of his 116 Formula 1 starts with the Scuderia, and secured six of his eight Grand prix wins with the Italian outfit, not to mention numerous wins in sportscar racing with Ferrari.
While his F1 career saw him narrowly miss out on world championship glory – finishing as runner-up to Sir Jackie Stewart in 1969 and to Jochen Rindt in 1970 – Ickx remains a revered figure, not least for his time in red.
Hamilton Among F1's Legends
Reflecting on Hamilton's decision to leave Mercedes after a record-breaking partnership, Ickx was effusive in his praise for the British driver.
“If you refer to Lewis, for me, he is a unique driver,” the six-time Le Mans winner told RacingNews365.
“It is like Senna, you have Max [Verstappen], you have Michael Schumacher and Fangio in the early days – these people have a little extra compared to the others.”
But Ickx's admiration for Hamilton extends beyond his on-track accomplishments.
“To me, he is a double plus because he is a very human person who never feared to get involved in Black Lives Matter, for example.
“He is the only one I know today who involves himself totally in something, and maybe that quality is something even more impressive than the first one when you see what he does, what he cares about with his foundation. Nobody has done that before.”
Hamilton's Broader Impact
Hamilton's social and philanthropic initiatives, including his outspoken support for diversity and inclusion in motorsport, have indeed distinguished him as a figure whose impact transcends the racetrack.
For Ickx, this dimension of Hamilton's character underscores the significance of his move to Ferrari, a team synonymous with passion and tradition.
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“I think if life is well made, and if you have the opportunity to do the things you like, it is easy because it doesn't work anymore,” Ickx mused.
“But it is clear that if you are at Ferrari for a few years and then other brands for 10 years or more, if you speak Ferrari, clearly your heart is tainted red at the end.”
The Legacy of the Scuderia
Indeed, Ferrari's allure is undeniable, even for a driver of Hamilton's stature.
The Scuderia has been the ultimate dream for many of the sport's greats, and Ickx believes Hamilton's arrival at Maranello could serve as a fitting final chapter to an extraordinary career.
“I can see that even Lewis is attracted to be there for the end of his career,” Ickx remarked. “Honestly, it is fantastic because only he knows what he can do and where he wants to go.”
Hamilton's move to Ferrari, set to become official on January 1st, will make him the 98th driver to race for the team in the Formula 1 World Championship.
As he dons the iconic red overalls, he will join a lineage of legends, including Ickx himself, who have carried the hopes and expectations of the Tifosi.
The transition symbolizes more than a change of teams for the Belgian ace; it represents the continuation of Ferrari's legacy as a magnet for the sport's most extraordinary talents.
As Hamilton embarks on this new chapter, he carries with him not only the weight of his own unparalleled achievements but also the timeless spirit of the Scuderia's Prancing Horse, a team that has inspired drivers and fans alike for generations.
And Ickx's career attests that once Ferrari taints a driver's heart red, it remains so forever.
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