Lewis Hamilton has driven some of the fastest cars in the world, but one Ferrari had been sitting in a garage for decades before he finally got behind its wheel. The seven-time Formula 1 champion found a 1991 Ferrari F40 with just 69 kilometers, or about 43 miles, on it.
The car’s first owner reportedly drove it home after buying it new, parked it in a garage, and never started it again. More than three decades later, Hamilton came along looking for a special F40 to add to his collection.
The Ferrari driver documented the search, restoration, and first drive in an October 6 YouTube video. Ferrari’s own engineers and mechanics helped bring the car back to life.
But the restoration came with another surprise. While examining the engine, the team found the number 44, which happens to be Hamilton’s Formula 1 racing number.
Forgotten Ferrari Found
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Hamilton had wanted an F40 since he was a child. His first official photo shoot after joining Ferrari in 2025 even featured one of the famous red supercars.
“When I joined Ferrari, my first shoot with the team was with this car,” Hamilton explains in the video. He calls the F40 one of the most iconic cars ever made.
Rather than buying just any example, he wanted one with very low mileage and an unusual history.
That’s how he found the 1991 model, which had barely been driven since leaving the factory.
Hamilton imagines how excited its original owner must have felt taking delivery. After driving it just 69 kilometers, though, the owner put it away.
The car remained unused for more than 30 years, according to Hamilton.
When the Ferrari finally arrived at the factory, it was covered in dust. Hamilton even pointed out dead insects inside the vehicle.
He briefly wondered whether he should leave the car exactly as he found it. Its remarkably low mileage made it special, but he also wanted to experience driving it.
Engine Number Surprise
Ferrari’s team in Maranello took on the job of restoring the F40.
The work included examining its mechanical parts and getting the twin-turbocharged V8 running again. The team documented the project with photos and video.
During the restoration, the team made a discovery that caught Hamilton completely off guard.
The engine carried the number 44.
Hamilton has used 44 as his Formula 1 racing number for years, making the discovery a remarkable coincidence.
In the video, he reacts with disbelief when the team tells him about the number. The discovery gave the car another personal connection to its new owner.
Back From Storage
When the finished F40 was unveiled, Hamilton could barely contain his excitement.
He walked around the restored car, admiring its red paint, bodywork, and exhaust.
“She looks brand new,” he said.
After inspecting the car, he climbed into the driver’s seat and prepared to start the engine.
The video captures the F40 coming to life before Hamilton eventually takes it out for a drive.
The restoration had turned a dusty collector’s car into a running supercar again.
According to Ferrari’s official history, the F40 debuted in 1987 with a 2.9-liter V8 engine producing 478 metric horsepower. Its claimed top speed was 324 kilometers per hour, or about 201 mph.
The car was created to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary. It also became one of the final road cars developed during Enzo Ferrari’s lifetime.
With its huge rear wing, lightweight body, and twin turbochargers, the F40 was designed to deliver a driving experience closer to a race car than an ordinary road vehicle.
Dream Drive at Monza
Hamilton had a specific plan for the car once the restoration was complete.
He wanted it delivered to Monza, the home of the Italian Grand Prix, where he could drive it and take photos.
That dream became a reality in September 2026 when he arrived at the circuit in the restored Ferrari.
The F40 wore a special number 44 plate. Hamilton also posed with it at Monza, including on the circuit’s historic banked section.
Although the car now runs, Hamilton still faces a difficult choice.
In the video, he explains that he wants to drive his F40 but worries about adding too many miles to such an unusually low-mileage example.
He even considers limiting himself to just one or two more kilometers to help preserve its special status.
For now, the Ferrari that spent decades sitting in a garage has finally made it back onto the road, with Hamilton behind the wheel.