Lewis Hamilton admits: I never talked to Niki Lauda about Ferrari!

(Motorsport-Total.com) - Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton recreated a historic photo of Niki Lauda before the Italian Grand Prix and revealed that he never spoke to the Austrian about his time at Ferrari .

The race weekend in Monza is Hamilton's first home race with Ferrari since his move at the beginning of the year and also marks the 50th anniversary of Lauda's first world championship title, which the team is commemorating with a special livery and team clothing.

Hamilton, who maintained a close friendship with Lauda during his time at Mercedes, posed on the grass verge at Monza with his racing suit, gear and helmet next to him - just as Lauda did in 1975 after winning his first title there.

“Dedicato a Niki,” wrote Hamilton.

"I'm glad we can honor Niki this weekend with a special design and helmet, even though it always feels like he's still with me," explains the Briton ahead of Ferrari's home race in Monza. "Sometimes I even feel like I can hear him, because I know exactly what he would say to me in certain situations."

But Hamilton admits that when he joined the Scuderia, he hadn't even considered that Lauda had once driven for the team. "It was just that as a child, I watched Michael [Schumacher], was a huge fan of the team, and always watched the fans' reaction when Ferrari was on the podium—that passion was unparalleled. I wanted to experience that," he says.

Never talked to Lauda about Ferrari

He also never actually spoke to Lauda about his time at Ferrari, "because we were in the Mercedes world and always fought against Ferrari."

"I don't know why we never talked about it. He told me so many stories from his life, but why never about Ferrari, I don't know," said Hamilton, who certainly regrets this situation. "Of course, if I could go back in time, I would."

Hamilton remembers only one conversation with Lauda about that time. "I don't remember which race it was, but he told me how he drove home after a victory. He drove to the gas station and left his trophies there."

"I asked him, 'What do you mean? You have to keep your trophies!' But several of his trophies ended up at that gas station. I don't remember exactly why he left them there. So someone in the world has some of his trophies," the Briton continued.

"He just didn't think they were interesting; he didn't value them. I, on the other hand, value my trophies. That's what you sweat for, that's what you fight for. But for him, that wasn't valuable—all that mattered to him was the fight. And that was really great."

Of Hell & Assholes

The fact that Ferrari is honoring Lauda this weekend is something very special for Hamilton after their time together: "I was able to celebrate Niki at Mercedes, win titles with him, and now I can also honor him here at Ferrari. His legacy lives on," he emphasizes.

Hamilton also knows exactly what Lauda would say to him today: "If I drove badly, he would do this (Hamilton gestures; editor's note) and say: 'Give them hell' (German: 'Give them hell'), but he always used the word 'arseholes'!"

"I didn't understand it at first and asked, 'Do you mean give them hell?' And he said, 'No, give them arseholes!' He was just a fighter."

Difficult starting position on Sunday

Hamilton himself, however, is approaching the weekend with a handicap, as he is carrying a five-place grid penalty from Zandvoort for not slowing down sufficiently under double yellow flags before the race.

"Of course, it's tough to lose so many positions here in Monza, and I think the penalty is harsh. But that's the way it is, and I've already put it aside: starting from the midfield only makes the challenge more exciting," he commented.

"I can't wait to get in the car. For a moment, I'll be a kid again, remembering watching Michael Schumacher drive out of the garage in a Ferrari at Monza—only this time it's me. I'll give it my all not to disappoint our fans."