Lewis Hamilton produced his best Grand Prix result as a Ferrari driver so far at Imola last weekend. He will have fond memories of his first race in Italy for the Scuderia.

It threatened to be a nightmare ‘debut’ in front of the Tifosi as Hamilton joined teammate Charles Leclerc in dropping out of Q2. But the seven-time world champion took advantage of a VSC and a full safety car during the race.

He would pass Mercedes successor Kimi Antonelli, Leclerc and (with help from the sister Ferrari) Alex Albon. Had the race been slightly longer, he could have challenged Oscar Piastri for the final podium spot.

Hamilton joined Ferrari to win races, not to finish fourth. But after one top-six finish in his first six appearances, he felt this was cause for celebration.

The 40-year-old also believes this can be a launchpad for the European stretch of the season. Ferrari lack pace over a single lap, but they showed scintillating race pace at times here.

Lewis Hamilton reminisces about Michael Schumacher after first Ferrari race in Italy

Speaking to Brazilian channel Band following the race at Imola, Hamilton called the experience ‘super empowering’. He reflected on watching the Ferrari duo of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello when he was a teenager in the early 2000s.

Schumacher took pole on his first visit to Imola as a Ferrari driver, but lost out to Damon Hill in the race. Between 1999 and 2006, he won six out of eight Grands Prix at the circuit named after the company’s founder.

Driving past the spectators at the Tosa hairpin reminded Hamilton of those days. He’s repeatedly stated since he joined that he’s living a childhood dream.

“It was the first time since being a Ferrari driver seeing a whole sea of red, and it was super empowering,” Hamilton said. “It was a very vintage feeling, reminiscent of when I was a kid growing up watching Formula 1 here and seeing Schumacher.

“It was Rubens and Schumacher obviously, and to then be one of those representatives on track in the red car, driving past turn 7 with a flag on there… wow.. that realisation is very, very special.”

Damon Hill makes ‘inflation’ point in Lewis Hamilton vs Michael Schumacher debate

Heading into the weekend, Davide Valsecchi claimed Ferrari fans were split on Hamilton. Some felt he simply wasn’t ‘delivering’ this season.

However, Hamilton received ‘unconditional support’ at Imola. Even after the team’s miserable display in qualifying, there were no audible boos.

The 105-time race-winner appeared to enter the weekend with extra motivation and optimism. When Ferrari’s car comes alive, its driver follows suit.

After the Red Bull driver scored an impressive victory, Hill says Max Verstappen is now level with Hamilton. He also pointed out that the Englishman’s advantage over Schumacher (14 more race wins, 47 more podiums) needs to be ‘adjusted for inflation’ given that there are far more events in this era of F1.