Hamilton and Leclerc arrive at Malaysian GP in matching Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloces

Ferrari teammates Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc made a coordinated entrance at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang, arriving in matching Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloces. Hamilton’s car was finished in Misano Blue while Leclerc’s wore the brand’s signature Alfa Rosso red.

The Giulia Veloce is the only trim level available in Malaysia, but it is no stripped-back offering. Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 276 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, it sends power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a limited-slip differential. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes 5.7 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h. Inside, aluminium paddle shifters and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system round out the package — a detail that will not be lost on two drivers well known for their love of music.

The choice of car is not without historical resonance. Ferrari and Alfa Romeo share deep roots in Italian motorsport that stretch back a century. Enzo Ferrari raced for Alfa Romeo in the 1920s before founding Scuderia Ferrari in 1929, an operation that initially ran Alfa Romeo machinery while supplying the drivers and race management. It was not until 1947 that Ferrari began building its own cars, and by the time the Formula 1 World Championship launched in 1950, the two marques were fully independent competitors.

In that inaugural championship season, Alfa Romeo proved dominant. Juan Manuel Fangio and Giuseppe Farina led the way for the Italian manufacturer, with Farina claiming the first-ever F1 world title. Ferrari, meanwhile, has since grown into the oldest surviving team in the sport.

The paddock arrival adds a touch of Italian solidarity to race week, with two of the most recognisable names in the current grid paying quiet homage to a shared heritage — one saloon at a time.