Lewis Hamilton has delivered his verdict on Ferrari’s highly controversial first electric vehicle, the Ferrari Luce, offering strong support for the groundbreaking project despite growing criticism from some of the most influential figures in the Italian manufacturer’s history.

The unveiling of the Ferrari Luce marked a historic moment for the legendary marque. For decades, Ferrari has been synonymous with screaming V12 engines, emotional exhaust notes, and a driving experience deeply rooted in combustion-powered performance. Yet as the automotive world continues its transition toward electrification, Ferrari has chosen to take a bold step into unfamiliar territory.

That decision, however, has not been universally welcomed.

Among the most vocal critics is former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo, a man whose name remains closely linked with some of the company’s greatest successes. His reaction to the Luce was blunt, emotional, and impossible to ignore.

“I hope they at least remove the Prancing Horse from that car,” Montezemolo declared, a comment that immediately ignited debate across the motorsport and automotive communities.

For many traditional Ferrari enthusiasts, the remark reflected a growing concern that the company may be drifting away from the principles that made it famous. To them, Ferrari without the roar of a combustion engine feels almost unthinkable.

Yet inside Ferrari’s modern Formula 1 team, the mood appears very different.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, the Scuderia’s star drivers, were given the prestigious responsibility of introducing the Ferrari Luce to the world. In a carefully orchestrated launch event, both drivers removed the cover from the vehicle, becoming among the first public figures to experience Ferrari’s most ambitious road-car project in decades.

As the sleek silhouette of the Luce emerged beneath the lights, both drivers appeared genuinely impressed.

The vehicle itself represents several firsts for Ferrari. Not only is it the company’s first fully electric production car, but it is also Ferrari’s first five-seat model, targeting a broader customer base while attempting to preserve the exclusivity and performance standards associated with the Prancing Horse.

The challenge facing Ferrari is enormous.

Electric vehicles have become increasingly common among mainstream manufacturers, but luxury performance brands face a unique dilemma. Customers are not simply purchasing transportation; they are buying emotion, heritage, and identity. For Ferrari, every product is measured against decades of racing history and engineering excellence.

That is why the Luce has become such a lightning rod for discussion.

Some observers view it as an essential evolution, while others fear it could dilute Ferrari’s legendary DNA.

Hamilton, however, saw something different.

Standing beside the car during the reveal, the seven-time world champion immediately pointed toward the craftsmanship and attention to detail that he believes remain unmistakably Ferrari.

“In terms of the attention to detail, you can tell that it’s very Ferrari,” Hamilton explained.

The comment carried additional weight because Hamilton himself is known for having a deep appreciation for automotive design. Throughout his career, he has driven and collected some of the world’s most exclusive performance cars, making his endorsement particularly significant.

As he examined the vehicle more closely, Hamilton appeared fascinated by the way Ferrari had attempted to combine cutting-edge technology with traditional design values.

While some critics focused on what the Luce lacks—a combustion engine—Hamilton focused on what it represents.

Innovation.

Progress.

A vision for the future.

Charles Leclerc echoed those sentiments.

“The design is very, very different from anything we’ve seen from Ferrari before,” the Monegasque driver admitted.

“But I think it’s very futuristic. It’s very Ferrari-like to look toward the future and to innovate.”

His comments highlighted an important reality often overlooked in the debate surrounding the Luce. Ferrari’s history is not simply a story of preserving tradition. It is also a story of constantly pushing technological boundaries.

From revolutionary race cars to groundbreaking road machines, Ferrari has repeatedly reinvented itself throughout its existence. The company’s greatest successes often came when it dared to challenge conventional thinking.

Supporters of the Luce argue that electrification is merely the latest chapter in that tradition.

As the two Formula 1 stars explored the vehicle’s interior, they appeared increasingly impressed by the balance Ferrari had attempted to strike between advanced technology and driver engagement.

One area received particular praise.

Physical controls.

Modern cars have increasingly shifted toward touchscreen-dominated interfaces, a trend that has frustrated many driving enthusiasts. Ferrari’s designers chose a different approach for the Luce, reintroducing more tactile buttons and controls throughout the cockpit.

For Leclerc, this was a major positive.

“I love that it’s back to having more physical buttons,” he explained. “You can actually drive, keep your eyes on the road, and feel what you’re doing.”

The statement may seem simple, but it reflects a broader industry conversation. Many drivers have complained that excessive reliance on touchscreens can distract from the driving experience.

Ferrari’s decision to restore physical controls suggests the company is listening carefully to customer feedback while attempting to preserve the connection between driver and machine.

Yet the true test awaited outside.

After spending time examining the vehicle’s design and cabin, Hamilton and Leclerc finally climbed inside for a test drive.

The atmosphere was one of curiosity and anticipation.

For Hamilton, the experience carried additional significance. Throughout his Formula 1 career, he has witnessed the sport’s gradual shift toward hybrid technology and sustainability initiatives. He has frequently spoken about environmental responsibility and has often advocated for greener innovation within motorsport.

Driving Ferrari’s first fully electric vehicle represented another step along that journey.

As the Luce accelerated away, any concerns about performance quickly appeared to disappear.

Despite lacking the traditional soundtrack associated with Ferrari, the instant torque of the electric powertrain delivered an experience that impressed both drivers.

Hamilton, never one to resist exploring a vehicle’s capabilities, pushed harder as the road opened up.

The response was immediate.

Acceleration pinned occupants into their seats with the kind of force typically associated with elite electric performance cars.

Leclerc, sitting in the passenger seat, quickly found himself experiencing the full effect of Hamilton’s enthusiasm behind the wheel.

Observers joked that the Ferrari driver seemed more focused on holding on than evaluating the finer details of the vehicle.

Laughter filled the cabin as Hamilton continued exploring the car’s performance potential.

Behind the playful moments, however, was an important message.

Ferrari wanted the world to see that electrification does not necessarily mean sacrificing excitement.

The Luce may be silent compared to Ferrari’s iconic V12s, but silence does not mean slow.

Nor does it mean uninspiring.

For Ferrari, convincing customers of that fact may be the single biggest challenge facing the project.

The company is reportedly targeting a price of approximately $640,000, placing the Luce firmly within the ultra-luxury segment. At that level, buyers are not merely purchasing specifications or performance figures. They are buying into a vision.

Whether that vision succeeds remains uncertain.

Critics like Montezemolo remain unconvinced, arguing that Ferrari’s identity is inseparable from the emotional experience created by its combustion engines.

Supporters counter that Ferrari has always evolved with the times and that refusing to embrace new technology would ultimately be a greater threat to the brand’s future.

For now, the debate continues.

Yet one thing became clear during the launch event.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc see the Ferrari Luce not as a departure from Ferrari’s heritage, but as an extension of it.

Rather than viewing electrification as a betrayal of tradition, they view it as the next challenge for one of the world’s most iconic automotive manufacturers.

As Hamilton stepped away from the vehicle after his test drive, his enthusiasm appeared genuine. The attention to detail, the engineering ambition, and the driving experience all convinced him that Ferrari had approached the project with the seriousness it deserved.

The Luce may divide opinion among fans, former executives, and automotive purists. It may continue to spark arguments across social media and within the Ferrari community.

But if Hamilton’s reaction is any indication, Ferrari believes its future can be every bit as exciting as its past—even if it sounds very different.