Lewis Hamilton isn’t just switching teams—he’s setting the stage for a whole new era, both on the racetrack and beyond. Now racing under the prancing horse for the 2025 Formula 1 season, the seven-time world champion is already making his presence known—scoring points in Melbourne and securing a sprint race victory in Shanghai. However, away from the grid, Hamilton is revving up something a little more personal: his dream of designing a Ferrari road car.
In a quiet moment during the Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton revealed that he has big plans in the works. “One of the things I really want to do is I want to design a Ferrari,” he told Motorsport.com. “I want to do an F44. Baseline of an F40, with the actual stick shift. That’s what I’m gonna work on for the next few years.” That’s right—Hamilton wants to resurrect the soul of the iconic F40 and bring it into the modern era, complete with a good old-fashioned manual transmission. The name? F44, a nod to the F40 and his signature race number, 44.
To provide context, the Ferrari F40 is iconic. Released in the late ’80s and famously approved by Enzo Ferrari himself before his death, it was a powerful, twin-turbo V8 powerhouse with no unnecessary features—just pure, analog driving pleasure. If Hamilton successfully creates its spiritual successor, it would be the first manual Ferrari road car since 2012, which is significant. Since then, Ferrari has focused on F1-style paddle shifters and hybrid performance, which, despite their incredible speed, have left enthusiasts yearning for the hands-on experience of manual gear shifting.
Interestingly, Hamilton’s plan taps into a trend that’s gaining serious traction: ultra-exclusive, manual-only supercars built for the love of driving. Brands like Pagani and Gordon Murray Automotive are proving that there’s a thriving market for analog excellence in a digital age. While Ferrari has taken the hybrid route with cars like the 1100 hp F80—constructed to meet strict European emissions regulations—it hasn’t quite scratched that nostalgic itch. A limited-run F44 could change all that.
And let’s not forget—Hamilton’s influence is greater than ever right now. Off the track, he’s constructing a lifestyle empire. He recently signed on as the face of Lululemon, a move that perfectly aligns with his personal brand of high performance meets mindfulness. He’s also wearing $1 million Richard Mille watches as part of his Ferrari deal. Simply put: Hamilton understands style, branding, and impact—and if he’s serious about creating a road car, people are going to pay attention.
As of now, there’s no official word on whether Ferrari will give the F44 the green light, but the very idea of Hamilton designing a stick-shift supercar has enthusiasts buzzing. If it happens, it could easily become one of the most exciting and talked-about releases from Maranello in years. A manual Ferrari with Hamilton’s name on it? That’s the kind of bold move the supercar world didn’t know it needed—but now desperately wants.
