In Brief
Lewis Hamilton has recently acquired a Ferrari F40, the car he has dreamed of owning since childhood. This model, found after more than thirty years of inactivity, was completely restored by Ferrari’s factory experts in Maranello before joining the seven-time world champion’s personal collection. A true icon, the F40 is the last supercar sanctioned by Enzo Ferrari and remains a symbol of rarity and performance. Hamilton’s attachment to this model underscores the historical and emotional significance of the F40 among automobile enthusiasts.
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time World Champion of Formula 1, has just purchased an authentic Ferrari F40, the car he has always dreamed of owning.
Lewis Hamilton and the F40: “As a child, I dreamed of owning one”
In a post shared on his social networks, Hamilton has made the news official: he is now the owner of a Ferrari F40. Crowned as F1 driver for Scuderia in early 2025 alongside the legendary 1987 supercar, the Brit has never hidden the love he has carried since childhood for the car that remains one of the most iconic in automotive history.
“My own F40. It’s the car of my dreams, and it has been for as long as I can remember,” the champion writes. “As a child, I dreamed of owning one. When I joined Ferrari last year, I insisted it be by my side from my very first day in Maranello. That shows how much it means to me.
These cars are real works of art and incredibly rare”, he adds. “When I found this one, covered in dust after more than thirty years in a garage, I knew I had to bring it home. First to Maranello, where the factory’s engineers and master technicians spent weeks reviving it. A huge thank you to everyone who took part in this project. It’s truly a dream come true. I can’t wait to tell you more.”
Ferrari F40: Enzo’s Last Adornment
Last supercar designed during Enzo Ferrari’s lifetime, the Ferrari F40 has left little room for indifference since its 1987 debut. Born from the blueprint of the 288 GTO Evoluzione Groupe B, a model that never saw production, the hypercar still commands an aura that few cars can rival among enthusiasts spanning generations today. With a body shape imagined by Pietro Camardella and crafted in Kevlar and carbon under the leadership of Leonardo Fioravanti within the wind tunnel at Pininfarina, the F40 is powered by a 2.9-liter V8 twin-turbo with IHI turbochargers and Behr intercoolers, paired to a five-speed transaxle. The result: 478 horsepower launching the Italian beauty from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and a top speed of around 209 mph. In total, 1,235 units rolled out of Maranello in the classic Rosso Corsa paint.
Proof that it continues to influence Ferrari’s design language, the new F80 revealed in 2024 still reflects the F40’s heritage as one of the few supercars to sit at the pinnacle of the brand’s excellence with the Prancing Horse.
Comparison Table
| Model | Year | Engine | Power | 0-60 mph | Top Speed | Production |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferrari F40 | 1987 | V8 twin-turbo 2.9L | 478 hp | 3.8 s | ~209 mph | 1,235 units |
Key Takeaways
- Lewis Hamilton bought a genuine Ferrari F40, the car he dreamed of since childhood.
- The F40 he acquired had spent more than thirty years tucked away in a garage before restoration.
- The specimen was fully overhauled by Ferrari’s factory engineers and technicians in Maranello.
- The Ferrari F40 packs a 2.9-liter twin‑turbo V8, 478 horsepower, and tops out at around 209 mph.
- Only 1,235 examples were produced, making the F40 a rare and highly sought-after icon.
- It is the last supercar designed during Enzo Ferrari’s lifetime.
FAQ
Which Ferrari did Lewis Hamilton buy?
Lewis Hamilton purchased an authentic Ferrari F40, regarded as his childhood dream car.
Why is the F40 so special?
The F40 is the last supercar designed during Enzo Ferrari’s lifetime, combining rarity, performance, and historical heritage.
What is the powertrain of the Ferrari F40?
The F40 is equipped with a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V8 delivering 478 horsepower and enabling a 0-60 mph time of about 3.8 seconds.
How many F40s were produced?
Only 1,235 Ferrari F40s were built, all in Rosso Corsa.
How was Hamilton’s F40 restored?
The car underwent weeks of restoration by Ferrari’s factory engineers and master technicians in Maranello.
