MILAN —  Lewis Hamilton is in the midst of a crisis of confidence and results that the Formula One icon has never known in his storied career as Ferrari’s fans hope for a sharp turnaround at the Italian Grand Prix.

Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton’s arrival at Maranello made Ferrari’s vociferous support dream of an end to an 18-year wait for a world title to be won by a driver in red.

Instead the 40-year-old trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by a whopping 200 points after a disastrous campaign with Ferrari which not only hasn’t brought him any GP wins, but not even a single podium finish.

Last weekend’s Dutch GP was the lowest point of the year for the Scuderia, with both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc crashing out of a race which had been preceded by the Briton twice spinning his car in practice.

Nonetheless Hamilton still appears to be happy to be with the sport’s most famous team, telling Sky in Italy on Wednesday that it was “really special to remember that I’m a Ferrari driver” every time he comes to Italy.

Hamilton and Leclerc, who delighted fans by winning at Monza last year, were greeted enthusiastically by hordes of supporters at an event held in the shadow of Milan’s famous Gothic cathedral.

“I saw with Charles what the atmosphere is like when you win at Monza with Ferrari, I was right by his side. It’s the race you’re waiting for,” said Hamilton who has won at the “Temple of Speed” five times in his career, four times with Mercedes.

“Winning here with another team is a fantastic experience because you can still see the sea of red and the fans. But it must be really special receiving all that affection from the fans like Charles and other drivers who’ve won here with Ferrari did.”