Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari broke the internet with the first official image of the F1 legend at Maranello, but fans are convinced they've spotted a hidden detail.
Monday marked Hamilton's first day at the Ferrari base in Maranello, with the 40-year-old posing outside the famous headquarters alongside a Ferrari F40 supercar.
This day has been in the calendar for quite some time with Hamilton announcing his move to Ferrari all the way back in February last year.
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Hamilton marked the start of his life at Ferrari with a social media message paired with the already iconic image.
Hamilton wrote on his Instagram account: "There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days. I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career.
"I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. I couldn’t be happier to realise that dream today. Today we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together."
Hamilton's secret message to Verstappen
Following the release of the image, fans have spotted a key detail that they are convinced was done on purpose by the team to send a clear message to Max Verstappen.
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One Reddit user noticed Hamilton is standing in front of seven open windows, with a door to the eighth also in shot.
This has also been picked up on X, with one fan writing: "Lewis Hamilton's first photo with Ferrari has 7 windows and a door to the 8th. I've never seen a picture with more aura."
This is in reference to Hamilton's record-equalling seven world championships and the record-breaking eighth which would surpass Michael Schumacher.
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Max Verstappen has won the last four F1 championships, and famously snatched what would have been Hamilton's eighth in the final lap of Abu Dhabi 2021.
Ferrari's 2025 Easter Eggs
The prospect of Ferrari hiding a message in their content shouldn't be dismissed as a coincidence, with Ferrari already encouraging fans to spot hidden details in this year's posts.
Last week the team posted a black and white image of a set inside their factory with the caption: "Look harder."
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Fans online quickly worked out the image featured 16 tires and 44 windows, which are the driver numbers of Charles Leclerc and Hamilton respectively.
The image also hid the numbers 16 and 44 within the image, proving the team are no stranger to hidden easter eggs.
Hamilton added to his original Instagram statement via the official Ferrari website.
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He added: "I’m incredibly grateful to John Elkann, Benedetto Vigna, Fred Vasseur and everyone at Ferrari for their trust in me and making me part of this family.
"I’m so excited to start this new era and to meet and work with a hugely talented and inspiring group of people. I’m dedicated to bringing everything I have to deliver for the team, the wider organisation and the fans."
Topics: Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Formula 1
Tom Jenkins