Lewis Hamilton Restores a 1991 Ferrari F40 with 69 Kilometers
A Ferrari F40 spent more than thirty years locked in a private garage with just 69 kilometers on its odometer, untouched and undriven since 1991. When Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton acquired the dormant supercar, he faced a stark choice between preserving its museum-grade originality or restoring it to active mechanical life. According to Engine1, leaving the vehicle untouched preserved an intact historical artifact, but meant abandoning the exact purpose for which the F40 was built.
Hamilton chose restoration. He shipped the dust-covered hypercar to the factory workshops in Maranello, documenting the multi-week overhaul in an eight-minute online video released across his social media channels. reported that the British driver was long conflicted whether to keep the car entirely with original elements or restore it before deciding to commission a comprehensive factory refresh.
Inside the Maranello Restoration and the Number 44 Discovery
Specialists at Maranello worked on the car until it looked factory-fresh. During the mechanical inspection in the factory workshops, technicians and the driver discovered a striking coincidence: the V8 biturbo engine bore the serial number 44—the exact racing number Hamilton uses in Formula 1 competition. noted that the discovery added an unexpectedly personal connection to an already rare machine.
When the factory unveiled the completed car, Hamilton stepped forward to inspect the exhaust system and prepare for the initial start-up. “For me, it’s the most beautiful car. It’s incredible,” Hamilton said in his documentary footage. The 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine roared back to life after decades of silence, marking the end of its static museum existence.
Hamilton debuts restored hypercar at Monza
Hamilton timed the public debut of his restored hypercar to coincide with the Italian Grand Prix weekend in early September. described how the seven-time world champion arrived at Monza wearing a camel-colored coat, a three-piece suit, and carrying a Louis Vuitton briefcase, driving his freshly restored Ferrari past trackside photographers.
Following the grand prix paddock appearances, Hamilton drove the F40 to the legendary Curva Parabolica for a dedicated photoshoot. The location offered a fitting backdrop for a model that holds the distinction of being the last approved personally by Enzo Ferrari.
Where Lewis Hamilton found his Ferrari F40?
Where did Lewis Hamilton find the Ferrari F40?
According to The Gazzetta dello Sport, the car was originally purchased in 1991 by a private owner who drove it for 69 kilometers before storing it under a protective cover in a private garage for more than thirty years.
What engine powers the Ferrari F40?
As detailed by The Gazzetta dello Sport, the supercar uses a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 478 horsepower.
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