Lewis Hamilton left Formula One fans baffled after arriving at the Italian Grand Prix in a heavy camel-coloured coat despite temperatures reported to be around 90°F (32°C) at Monza.
The seven-time world champion, 41, appeared dressed for much cooler conditions when he arrived at the circuit on Thursday, 3 September, ahead of this weekend's race.
Hamilton paired a sharply tailored black suit and tie with a long camel-coloured coat and hat before stepping out of a Ferrari F40.
The dramatic arrival immediately caught attention, with fans divided between admiring the Ferrari driver's carefully styled appearance and questioning his decision to wear such a substantial coat in the Italian heat.
One fan commented beneath Formula 1's Instagram post: 'There's a lot of hot in Italy for using a coat...'
Another joked on X: 'Hope the F40 has AC onboard.'
The reactions captured the striking contrast between Hamilton's winter-inspired ensemble and the warm conditions surrounding Ferrari's home Grand Prix.
Fans Speculate Over Ferrari Connection
While Hamilton has not publicly confirmed why he chose the coat, some fans speculated that the outfit could have been a deliberate callback to the look he wore when his move to Ferrari was announced.
Fans noticed similarities between the Monza outfit and the suit Hamilton wore when he announced his Ferrari deal, which began in 2025. However, there is no confirmation from Hamilton that the coat was intended as a reference to that moment.
If the resemblance was deliberate, it would add another layer to an arrival that already appeared carefully styled. But for now, the connection remains speculation.
The setting also added to the spectacle. Hamilton arrived in his Ferrari F40, a car he has described as his dream car, before posing for photographs at the circuit. The car's engine was marked with the number 44, matching Hamilton's familiar Formula One racing number.
The F40 had reportedly spent more than 30 years in storage before undergoing restoration at Ferrari's facilities in Maranello. The appearance therefore gave Hamilton the chance to combine two of his most recognisable interests: Ferrari and fashion.
Not everyone was puzzled by the outfit, however. One admirer praised the driver's confidence, writing: 'This is the aura farm of the century. I'm afraid nothing comes close.' Hamilton's ability to attract attention through his clothes is hardly new.
Hamilton's Fashion Choices Keep Making Headlines
Away from the track, Hamilton has become one of Formula One's most recognisable fashion figures, regularly using his race-weekend appearances to experiment with distinctive looks.
His interest in fashion has also taken him beyond the paddock. He has attended the Met Gala since 2015 and served as a co-chair at the 2025 event alongside Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams and Anna Wintour.
For the 2025 Met Gala, held under the theme 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style', Hamilton wore an ivory ensemble and matching beret created by Wales Bonner in collaboration with the driver and his stylist Eric McNeal.
Speaking to Vogue about his approach to fashion, Hamilton said: 'We're both very thoughtful and intentional when it comes to fashion.'
That philosophy may help explain why his Monza arrival appeared so carefully styled, although Hamilton has not publicly confirmed that the camel-coloured coat was chosen as a deliberate reference to his Ferrari announcement.
For now, the reason behind the heavy coat remains open to interpretation. What is certain is that Hamilton's arrival has already generated plenty of conversation before the Italian Grand Prix has even begun.
With the race weekend running from 4 to 6 September, his Ferrari F40 and striking camel-coloured coat ensured the seven-time world champion made an entrance that was impossible to overlook.
