SUMMARY
- Italy's Peroni Nastro Azzurro partners with Ferrari, potentially reshaping Formula 1 dynamics in a reported multi-year deal.
- Peroni's partnership announcement with Ferrari sparks intrigue, featuring an advertisement hinting at Hamilton's connection with the team.
Corporate giants teaming up with Formula 1 and its drivers is no surprise but could it lead to a major reshuffle in the sport, involving Lewis Hamilton? Recently, an Italy-based beer brand Peroni Nastro Azzurro officially announced an all-new partnership with Ferrari. According to reports, this collaboration appears to be a multi-year contract. This is deemed a lucrative arrangement, considering the extensive viewership that F1 holds.
The Maranello-based team is buzzing at the moment given their recent signing of the seven-time world champion. However, the official statement is yet to arrive. Nevertheless, this seems to be a double victory for Ferrari with a new line of partnership and Hamilton’s move. Interestingly, the premium beer brand, owned by Asahi Europe & International, previously sponsored the Aston Martin.
Is Lewis Hamilton’s shift linked to the Ferrari x Peroni partnership?
The team’s announcement of a ‘partnership’ with Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% has raised eyebrows. A few days ago, when this new alliance was announced, the image featured something alarming. The commercial advertisement consisted of a beer bottle with ‘Tifosi’ on the label and several Ferrari F1 merchandise. But there was something else that caught the eyes of inquisitive fans and social media users.
Well played, Peroni and Ferrari. Well played.
None of us noticed that #44 until today 😂 pic.twitter.com/8BIQYMtlV0
— Jeppe H. Olesen (@jeppe_olesen) February 1, 2024
The advertisement included a Ferrari toy car with the number ’44’ on it. The driver who owns that number is none other than Hamilton. As the norm goes, F1 drivers need to pick a number that will be set in stone and must stick to it throughout their professional careers. This number holds intimate value for the Briton as well. The idea of Hamilton in a Ferrari has been a long-standing rumor.
Nevertheless, the recent failure to secure a new contract for Carlos Sainz has sparked many speculations.
Fred Vasseur dropped hints about Lewis Hamilton signing all along
The developments in Formula 1 lately fit in like pieces of a puzzle right after the signing of the legendary driver. However, the team principal of Ferrari, Fred Vasseur made a massive revelation regarding the same. He hinted at talks with Lewis Hamilton, but a move to the Italian team was never a serious consideration.
Fred said this in December and had a plan the whole time 😭 pic.twitter.com/XvKX43PJcv
— tami. (@Vetteleclerc) February 1, 2024
Vasseur said, “I’m talking with Lewis each week or each month for 20 years. I can’t say that I didn’t speak with Lewis at one stage because we are always in contact. And that’s true with most of the grid because most of the grid drove for me in the past and it’s not because of that.”
He further added, “I had a discussion in Baku, in the paddock we had a discussion with Lewis and then it started to go everywhere but if he signed a contract with me each time that we spoke in the past then it would have cost me a fortune!” It seems that the stars were in favor of the team lead, as his initial plan has finally materialized with the multi-time champion joining the team.