Lewis Hamilton reflects on the significance of potentially becoming the first black Ferrari driver to win at the Italian Grand Prix, taking place this weekend. The seven-time world champion has seen a resurgence in his second season with the team, including a pivotal win in Barcelona in June, keeping him in the title race, although he currently trails Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli by 59 points with 11 races left.

Hamilton's chances for victory in Monza have improved since Antonelli will start from the back of the grid due to a penalty for exceeding his engine-part allowance.

In discussing what a potential 107th career Grand Prix win would mean, Hamilton expressed:

I didn't even know that I had equal wins with Michael Schumacher at Monza. Winning here for the first time with Ferrari is monumental, especially after witnessing Charles Leclerc's victory in 2019. The idea of being the only black driver to achieve this for Ferrari in Italy is profound.

He emphasized the pressure to perform, acknowledging the passionate Tifosi and his mother’s attendance at the race, hoping to bring her lucky charm.

Additionally, Hamilton noted that Ferrari's second engine upgrade of the season should help close the performance gap with Mercedes. He stated:

Every little helps; we've been losing significant time this season.

• I'm proud of the team's enthusiasm and focus. There’s a clear direction now compared to last year.
• This upgrade is a step forward, though we know it won't close the entire gap.

With excitement for the upcoming race, Hamilton remains confident in Ferrari's potential to compete for wins.