Lewis Hamilton Ferrari F44 canceled, Journalist Claims V12 Manual Revival Is Off

Earlier this year, seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton didn’t just bring his talents to Scuderia Ferrari; he also reportedly explored commissioning a hypercar. The dream was to revive the F40 with a V12 engine and a manual transmission. However, new reports suggest the project is off the table. The Lewis Hamilton Ferrari F44 canceled status was reported by long-time F1 journalist Giorgio Terruzzi on a podcast, citing unconfirmed speculation that the reversal had “bothered” the 40-year-old Englishman.

The potential F44 project—a nod to Hamilton’s racing number—would have been a statement piece, blending Ferrari’s heritage with the desires of its newest superstar driver.

lewis hamilton 2 1010379 — Source: Ferrari

Here is a look at the dream car that won’t see the light of day, and the context of the decision.

The V12 Manual Revival Dream

The rumored F44 project was aiming for an analog purity that modern hypercars rarely achieve, paying homage to two of Ferrari’s most revered features: the V12 engine (often considered the soul of the brand) and the manual transmission (phased out in the early 2010s).

The Cancellation and Tough Season Context

While unconfirmed by Ferrari, reports from Italian journalists suggest the project was quietly shelved after initial preliminary approval. One strong opinion from journalist Pino Allievi criticized the concept, questioning whether the brand’s heritage should be compromised “merely because a driver is crying.”

The alleged cancellation comes amid a tough 2025 F1 season for Hamilton, which likely did not help the timing or optics of commissioning a bespoke halo car.

F1 Performance: Hamilton has suffered several Q1 exits and entered the season finale with 152 points—78 fewer than his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc (230 points).
Strategic Shift: Reports suggest the cancellation may be part of a broader internal “recalibration” within Ferrari’s corporate machinery, focusing on consolidating brand identity and core priorities.

While the Lewis Hamilton Ferrari F44 canceled project is a disappointment for enthusiasts, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Ferrari commission Hamilton a special-edition version of an existing model, similar to the Daytona SP3s that his current and former teammates, Leclerc and Sainz, have taken delivery of.

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