Ferrari Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc arrived at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia driving matching Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce sports saloons, bringing personal taste in high-performance transport together with a century-old heritage connecting the two Italian automotive brands.
Formula 1 race weekends often showcase what drivers choose to drive away from the track long before the first official practice session begins. The Scuderia Ferrari pairing entered the paddock in identical sports saloons driving matching Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce models finished in contrasting hues.
Drivers Arrive in Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce Models at Sepang
Hamilton selected a Misano Blue finish for his arrival, while Leclerc drove a model sprayed in the manufacturer’s signature Alfa Rosso red according to racing paddock reports. Beneath the bonnet, the Veloce carries a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 276 horsepower alongside 400 Nm of torque powering the rear axle through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The mechanical setup utilizes a limited-slip differential to distribute power to the rear wheels. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes 5.7 seconds, and the vehicle reaches a capped top speed of 240 km/h. Inside the cabin, aluminium paddle shifters sit behind the steering wheel alongside a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, providing an acoustic setup suited to two drivers recognized as enthusiasts of high-end audio quality.
Enzo Ferrari Raced Alfa Romeo Before Building His Own Cars
The appearance of the matching Italian saloons connects to deep historical ties between the two marques that stretch back decades. Enzo Ferrari first raced Alfa Romeo machinery during the 1920s before establishing Scuderia Ferrari in 1929, operating as a racing outfit where Alfa supplied the vehicles while the Scuderia provided the drivers and operational support prior to building its own racing cars.
By 1947, the Prancing Horse began manufacturing its own racing machines, transitioning into an independent entity by the launch of the Formula 1 world championship in 1950. In that inaugural championship season, Alfa Romeo cars dominated the grid with drivers Juan Manuel Fangio and Giuseppe Farina, with the latter claiming the driver’s title while operating with Alfa manufacturer machinery at the forefront of early motorsport.