Lewis Hamilton Ferrari F40 Restoration: 30-Year Find

Lewis Hamilton has owned some of the world's most coveted automobiles over the years, but after parting with his impressive car collection, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion decided to acquire just one vehicle—and it's far from new. The Ferrari driver recently revealed he purchased a Ferrari F40, describing it as the "dream car" he's coveted since childhood.

Hamilton's F40 isn't a pristine collector's item acquired from a private showroom. According to the racing legend, the car had been sitting in a garage for more than three decades, covered in thick layers of dust. Photos he shared on social media show the vehicle in its pre-restoration state, followed by images of Ferrari technicians disassembling and servicing its components during an extensive restoration process at the company's Maranello headquarters.

Hamilton explained that the moment he found the car, he knew he had to buy it. After completing the purchase, he sent it to Ferrari's factory in Maranello, where engineers and mechanics spent weeks bringing it back to roadworthy condition. The published photographs reveal significant mechanical work, including removal of the engine from the vehicle.

As he found it (צילום: Instagram / lewishamilton)

Hamilton next to the Ferrari he found (צילום: Instagram / lewishamilton)

The choice of an F40 carries special significance. After selling his road car collection in 2025, Hamilton stated that if any single vehicle could tempt him back into collector car ownership, it would be the F40. He has previously described the model as a work of art.

The F40 ranks among the most important and sought-after automobiles in Ferrari's history. Unveiled in 1987 to mark the Italian manufacturer's 40th anniversary, it was among the final cars launched during founder Enzo Ferrari's lifetime. Unlike modern supercars laden with electronics, the F40 was built around a relatively straightforward philosophy: minimize weight, maximize performance.

Behind the driver sits a 2,936 cubic centimeter V8 engine equipped with twin turbochargers, producing 478 horsepower according to Ferrari's specifications. The official top speed reaches 324 kilometers per hour. Power is transmitted through a five-speed manual gearbox, and the original car lacks modern systems such as stability control or numerous comfort features.

For Hamilton, this represents more than another collectible item. He has said that even as a child he dreamed of owning an F40, and when he joined Ferrari, he made sure a model from this line was present on his first day at Maranello. Now that childhood dream has become tangible private property.

Many details about the specific vehicle remain undisclosed. Hamilton hasn't revealed what he paid for it, its mileage, or the identity of previous owners. What is clear is that after more than three decades of dormancy, one of the world's most iconic supercars has been given new life, this time in the hands of one of motorsport's most successful drivers.