Lewis Hamilton, seven-time Formula One world champion and newly minted Scuderia Ferrari driver, has revealed a personal ambition that reaches beyond the racetrack: designing an analog Ferrari supercar he would call the “F44.”
Hamilton shared the idea with reporters during the Australian Grand Prix weekend, saying he hopes to one day collaborate with Ferrari on a new model inspired by the brand’s iconic F40. “I’d love to do a car, like the F44 or something, that’s like a remake of the F40 — but manual,” he said, according to Motorsport.
While Hamilton is celebrated for his technical prowess in highly advanced F1 machinery, his automotive preferences appear refreshingly old-school. The British driver emphasized the appeal of an analog driving experience, telling fans he wants a supercar with “an actual stick shift,” ditching paddle shifters and dual-clutch systems for a traditional manual gearbox.
It’s a surprising sentiment in an era where Ferrari’s road cars — including hybrids and the all-electric models in development — lean heavily into cutting-edge technology. Still, Hamilton believes there’s demand for a visceral, driver-focused machine that celebrates simplicity and mechanical purity.
The name “F44” would honor Hamilton’s own race number and, he suggests, link the potential car to its spiritual predecessor. The F40, Ferrari’s final project under the watchful eye of Enzo Ferrari himself, remains a high watermark for enthusiasts who favor lightweight construction and raw turbocharged power.
Whether the F44 idea becomes more than a passion project remains to be seen. Hamilton is currently adapting to life at Ferrari after leaving Mercedes, and any future collaboration with Maranello’s road car division would be a notable first for an active F1 driver.
For now, the F44 exists only in theory — but if enough fans and collectors get behind it, Maranello may find Hamilton’s dream too good to ignore.