Lewis Hamilton arrived at the Spanish Grand Prix media day in Barcelona showcasing a £1.1 million luxury timepiece, as he continues his quest for a first podium finish with Ferrari this season. The seven-time world champion wore the exclusive Richard Mille watch while preparing to compete at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, hoping to break his recent streak without a top-three result.
Exclusive Timepiece Highlights Hamilton’s Style Ahead of Spanish GP
At 40 years old, Lewis Hamilton appeared on Thursday’s media day donning the Richard Mille 43-01 Ferrari Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph, a watch valued at $1.5 million (£1.1m). This model is one of only 75 worldwide, crafted through a collaboration between Ferrari and the prestigious Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille, who partnered with the Scuderia starting in 2021 after Ferrari ended its relationship with Hublot.
The design takes inspiration from the intricate architecture of Ferrari’s engine, continuing the trend set by previous limited-edition releases such as the RM UP-01. Hamilton’s choice reflects both his passion for high-end horology and his affiliation with the Ferrari brand as he embarks on his new challenge in Formula 1.
Hamilton’s Past with Luxury Watches and Ferrari Partnership
Hamilton’s relationship with exclusive timepieces is long-standing. At the season launch in February, he sported another Richard Mille model, the RM 74-02 Automatic Winding Tourbillon, valued at £375,000. Before joining Ferrari, he was associated with IWC Schaffhausen, notably wearing a Portugieser limited edition, with only 44 pieces produced and each priced at £143,000.
This transition in watch sponsorship coincides with his move from Mercedes to Ferrari earlier this year, marking a new chapter both on and off the track. His wristwear choices mirror his ongoing efforts to establish himself within the Italian racing team.
Challenges at the Spanish Grand Prix Practice Sessions
Despite the confident display with his watch, Hamilton’s performance on the track at Barcelona has been frustrating. After Friday’s second practice session, Ferrari recorded the 11th fastest time, leaving Hamilton visibly disappointed amid concerns over the car’s handling and aerodynamic issues.
Reflecting on the session, Hamilton said:
Not fun. It’s a beautiful place, the weather has been amazing, but no, not a good day.
—Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 Driver
He elaborated on the team’s struggles, noting,
“I wouldn’t say that I’m motivating the team at the moment. You just keep your head down and keep working away. You just don’t give up. You keep going, you keep pushing, you keep trying to focus on solving the issues, which we’ll try to do.”
Hamilton acknowledged hopes for improvement, sharing that the car initially felt competitive in the first practice but worsened in the second due to downforce problems. He added:
Hopefully, with that fixed for tomorrow, we’ll be in a better place.
—Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 Driver
Hamilton’s Historical Success at the Spanish Grand Prix
Hamilton arrives in Barcelona with a strong record at the circuit, having won the Spanish Grand Prix six times in his career, including a dominant five-year streak before his last triumph in 2021. This history adds weight to his desire to secure a solid performance for Ferrari, especially as he currently sits sixth in the Drivers’ Championship after eight races.
His best finish with Ferrari so far was a fourth place at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, and last weekend in Monaco he came home fifth. As the Spanish Grand Prix weekend progresses, Hamilton will be eager to improve on these results and bring Ferrari back to the podium.
Looking Ahead: Qualifying and Saturday Practice
Hamilton is scheduled to participate in practice three and qualifying on Saturday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. With the team working hard to resolve ongoing technical difficulties, his focus is firmly on extracting more from the car as they aim to challenge the front runners.
The limited-edition watch on his wrist may symbolize his luxury status and success, but on track, Hamilton faces a tougher battle as he strives to match his past dominance with Ferrari’s current form. The weekend at Barcelona could be a crucial test of both driver skill and team progress.