With F1’s current regulations now in their fourth year, the performance gaps that gave front-runners comfortable advantages are shrinking fast. Teams that were once struggling to keep pace have had enough time with these cars to catch up on the learning curve. (See: Ferrari and McLaren’s surge last year .)

The British F1 star has been taking Italian lessons, has his motorhome parked next to Enzo Ferrari’s house and is immersing himself in the culture of the Scuderia as he eyes a record-breaking eighth title this year.

Hamilton has acted on Domenicali’s advice and is embracing the challenge. After the SF-25 was launched in front of fans at the Fiorano test circuit on Wednesday, the 40-year-old gave an interview to Sky Sports Italy in Italian, offering some short answers in his new language.