Ahead of Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Lewis Hamilton revealed that the boo-boys will be welcome to do their worst should he reach top three.
The ‘tifosi’ – as Ferrari’s passionate fans are known – are famous for giving a hostile reception to any driver other than their own that makes the top three at Monza, and that is what happened to Hamilton 12 months ago after he triumphed.
“I would love to have that experience again this year – I would pay to have that experience,” he said.
“If I’m up there and I’m being booed that means I’ve won, so I definitely want that. I’m sure it will be the same again this year.”
If the opening practise is anything to go by, Hamilton may have to reach for the ear plugs, as the Mercedes driver finished top with a lap of one minute 25.565 seconds. With his car tailor-made for Monza, Hamilton finished 0.035 seconds ahead of Fernando Alonso in his Ferrari.
Alonso is currently lying second to Sebastian Vettel in the table, and although the German was only fourth quickest in his Red Bull, he has a 58-point cushion over his nearest pursuer ahead of Sunday’s race.
Monza is a fast circuit at the best of times which was illustrated by the fact that the top 14 drivers in first practise were separated by just one second overall.
Link Dafabet