Lewis Hamilton has purchased a Ferrari F40 that had been stored away for more than 30 years, describing the historic model as his “dream car”.
The seven-time F1 champion found the classic car “covered in dust” after it had been left untouched for over three decades. He immediately sent it to Maranello, where engineers and mechanics spent weeks restoring the model to working condition.
“The Ferrari of my dreams”
In a YouTube video, Hamilton said: “There are cars that you admire and then there are cars that make you feel something. Growing up Ferrari was more than a badge, it was the sound, the history, the posters on the wall, the dream.”
He added: “And the F40, this is the Ferrari of my dreams. It was with me on my first day at Maranello when my childhood dream of driving for the team in red came true. This car is just wow. You can feel the era this car came from, built for one purpose, to make you feel alive.”
Hamilton also noted the car’s original condition, saying: “Untouched, original, sat in the garage for over 30 years. The dust on the paint, the dirt in the grill and the flies in the grill. The car still exactly as it was when it left the factory floor, every bit of it tells a story. Seeing it come back to life, it’s incredibly special. Some cars you just don’t forget and this one’s mine.”
A rare piece of Ferrari history
The F40 is one of the rarest cars ever produced, with just over 1,000 examples built by Ferrari between 1987 and 1992. It is widely regarded as a race car for the road.
The 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivers striking performance, with the car able to accelerate from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 201mph. It was the first production road car to break the 200mph barrier.
Hamilton has teased a new project involving the car, saying he “can’t wait to share more” with his followers soon.
The exact price Hamilton paid for the F40 has not been disclosed, but it is expected to be in the millions. Auction house RM Sotheby’s recently sold an F40 with just 1,118 miles on the clock for £3.7 million (€4.3 million).
