Lewis Hamilton given new Ferrari nickname as unheard team radio emerges

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur gave Lewis Hamilton a hilarious new nickname during an unheard team radio message.

Despite a disrupted start to the season due to the cancellation of both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, the 2026 F1 season is now firmly underway.

Heading into the season, Mercedes driver George Russell was the firm favourite to win the 2026 World Drivers' Championship, but after five races, it is actually his teammate Kimi Antonelli leading the standings.

Having won four races and been on the podium in all five races so far this season, the 19-year-old has 131 points, ahead of Russell on 88 and Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Hamilton on 75 and 72 points respectively.

Alongside Antonelli, many fans have been impressed and happy to see Hamilton's performances so far this season as the seven-time World Champion finally returned to the podium at the Chinese Grand Prix before doing so again in Canada last week.

Hamilton secured his best result as a Ferrari driver in Montreal, finishing second to the race-winning Antonelli and two places ahead of teammate Leclerc.

In doing so, the Brit has equalled Leclerc's total of two podiums, with the Monegasque driver securing top-three finishes in Australia and Japan.

Fred Vasseur hands Lewis Hamilton unique nickname during Canada Grand Prix

When Hamilton crossed the chequered flag in Montreal, there was perhaps nobody more excited to see the 41-year-old back on the podium again than Ferrari team principal Vasseur, who made his excitement known with a hilarious new nickname.

“Good job, Luigi," Vasseur told Hamilton.

Although many would assume that the nickname has something to do with a certain Italian plumber and his famous brother, Luigi is actually the Italian equivalent of ‘Lewis'.

But that didn't stop Sky F1 pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz from asking the Ferrari boss about the name, saying: “What did you call Lewis on the radio at the end? Old G?”

“Luigi!” Vasseur replied before breaking into uncontrollable laughter that lasted more than 10 seconds.

When asked after the race about the nickname, Hamilton added: “I don’t know. In Italy, they used to always call me ‘Luigi’ when I was a kid.”

Lewis Hamilton addresses retirement rumours

Hamilton's resurgent form in 2026 has already raised questions about his future after reports ahead of the season suggested he could soon retire.

But after his best performance since joining Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season, Hamilton made it clear that he's here to stay.

“There’s a lot of people that are trying to retire me. That’s not even on my thoughts," he assured.

“I’m already thinking of what will be next and planning for the next five years, but I still plan to be here for some time.

“I’m still [under] contract, so everything’s 100 per cent clear to me.

“I still love what I do with all my heart and I’m going to be here for quite some time, so get used to it.”