Ferrari cancels the 'F44' project linked to Hamilton due to rising tensions.

      "I believe Ferrari is making the right choice."

      Recent tensions have surfaced at Ferrari as reports from Italy indicate that the team has abandoned a unique road-car project associated with Lewis Hamilton - referred to as the "F44." According to the Terruzzi Racconta podcast, Hamilton had privately requested a customized special-edition model that had initially received approval but was later quietly shelved.

      Giorgio Terruzzi, a prominent Italian F1 journalist, mentioned that this decision left the seven-time world champion "furious." Terruzzi stated that the project had been promised before being "abandoned or at least paused." Another well-known Italian journalist, Pino Allievi, was straightforward in his remarks. "The F40 was a car that celebrated Ferrari’s 40th anniversary, as envisioned by Enzo Ferrari. And now they’re creating an F44 simply because a driver is upset?

      "I believe Ferrari is making the right choice." He went on to say that ultra-VIP clients can request one-off models but cautioned against diluting the brand’s heritage.

      This news follows a recent interaction in which chairman John Elkann told Hamilton to "talk less," and after Hamilton labeled 2025 as the worst season of his lengthy career, expressing uncertainty about 2026 after the Las Vegas GP.

      Allievi made a poignant comparison: "It reminds me of Schumacher when he transitioned to Mercedes." He inferred that 2026 will be critical in determining whether Hamilton can continue to compete at the top level, "assuming he is even still driving."

      Former Ferrari driver Rene Arnoux, speaking with La Gazzetta dello Sport, also pointed out that Hamilton’s age is becoming a significant consideration. "Antonelli had a fantastic debut season at 18," he remarked. "That’s why I find Hamilton’s situation challenging - he’s 40 years old and can’t perform throughout the entire season as he could in his younger years.

      "Regardless of Hamilton’s circumstances, the car’s performance was lacking, which was evident with Leclerc. The hope is that next year they can take advantage of the new regulations and finally provide fans with the satisfaction they’ve been longing for after so many years."