F1 fans convinced Lewis Hamilton’s shock Ferrari move was hidden in plain sight

Deadline day is usually where football rules the roost. But not this year, with Lewis Hamilton deciding to spoil the party.

The legendary British Formula 1 driver sent shockwaves through the sporting world earlier this week after it was announced he will be leaving Mercedes and is set to join forces with Ferrari.

Fans didn't know what to think over the news, which was officially confirmed by Mercedes - who Hamilton has been with for over a decade - and it probably goes down as the biggest driver move in the sport's history.

It's led to supporters and critics alike looking for clues over when and where the move came from, given it unfolded seemingly out of the blue within a 24 hour window.

And of course like in any situation, the conspiracy theories are out and standing tall given the absurdity that comes along with them.

Take this one, for example, which revolves around Ferrari and it's sponsor, Italian beer producer Peroni.

One day before Hamilton's shock announcement, Ferrari and Peroni announced a new partnership between the two. It saw the brand’s Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% enter into a multi-year deal with the Scuderia Ferrari and Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli series.

Peroni/Ferrari

Some fans are convinced that an image advertising the partnership was hiding the secret in plain site.

In the advert, F1 fans spotted a little red car lying next to the bottle of alcohol. The numbers slapped across the car are 44.

And what is Hamilton's famously known driving number?

You've guessed it. Droopy drawers as we live and breathe.

Fans on X (Twitter) have, of course, lost their minds a little.

One person said: "How did we miss this? The red 44 car. Peroni tried to tell us."

Another wrote: "Well played, Peroni and Ferrari. Well played. None of us noticed that #44 until today."

Alex Pantling - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

A third added: "If that wasn't a mini-clue to Lewis Hamilton switching to the reds in F1 then I don't know what is, talk about sneaky."

Others were a little less cynical, with one fan saying it is 'just a coincidence'.

And those in the latter camp would be correct.

The #44 is actually, on this occasion, nothing to do with Hamilton. Instead it refers to French F1 driver Maurice Trintignant.

Back in 1955, he drove the Ferrari 625 - the car in the advert - to victory at the inaugural World Championship Monaco Grand Prix.

Like Hamilton, Trintignant's racing number was #44.

One fan wrote: "I know it's Trintignant but BRUH the timing."

Another said: "Yes, of course that's Maurice Trintignant's Monaco GP winning car and number, but where's the fun in that?"

Klemantaski Collection/Getty Images

Speaking after signing his deal with Ferrari, which starts in 2025, Hamilton said: "We dream every day of being the best and we have dedicated the past decade together to achieving that goal.

"Being at the top does not happen overnight or over a short period of time, it takes commitment, hard work and dedication and it’s been an honour to earn our way into the history books with this incredible team.

"We have never been hungrier to win. We have learnt from every success but also every setback. We continue to chase our dreams, we continue to fight no matter the challenge and we will win again.

"I’m grateful to the team who have supported me both on and off the track. Our story isn’t finished, we are determined to achieve more together and we won’t stop until we do."

The 2024 F1 season begins in March at Bahrain.