Lewis Hamilton praises Yuki Tsunoda and AlphaTauri for ‘leading by example’ in their recovery help at Faenza

Lewis Hamilton has praised AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda for helping in relief efforts in Italy's Emilia Romagna region.

Formula 1 was forced to cancel the Imola Grand Prix last weekend due to flooding in the region. In the days following the cancellation of the race, Tsunoda was pictured helping the relief efforts by clearing streets.

Tsunoda, along with his teammate Nyck de Vries, even took part in a campaign to bring awareness of the situation. They roped in the likes of musician Wyclef Jean, footballer Fabio Borini and Olympic skiing champion Lindsey Vonn to help spread the message.

Tsunoda took to AlphaTauri's Instagram account and, in a video, said:

"Emilia Romagna is still in a really bad situation. Please help if you can. Stay strong, Emilia Romagna."

Commenting on the post, Lewis Hamilton said:

"Thinking of all you at the team and your families. Sending prayers of warmth and hope that this passes soon."

The Mercedes driver then took to his Instagram stories and wrote:

"And big up to Yuki Tsunoda and team for leading by example and helping out on the ground."

Incidentally, AlphaTauri is based in Faenza, which is in the Emilia Romagna region, the place that's been hit the hardest by the floods. Tsunoda, in a bid to be close to the team's headquarters, has lived in the Faenza area since the end of his maiden F1 season.

The motorsports community has done its best to help the region in its time of need. Williams Racing set up a charity race in place of the canceled Imola GP. The likes of team principal James Vowles, driver Alex Albon, and footballer Thibaut Courtois took part in it.

Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen also set up a sim racing event to raise money for the area affected. F1 and Ferrari, meanwhile, have each donated €1 million to the victims of the floods.

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Lewis Hamilton linked with Ferrari move: Reports

Ferrari are reportedly preparing to sign Lewis Hamilton in a mega-money deal at the end of the 2023 season. Team president John Elkann is said to be in “close contact” with the Briton to seal the move.

Hamilton is in the final year of his Mercedes deal and there have been no signs of an extension being announced.

Mail Sport have reported that Ferrari are preparing to offer Hamilton a contract worth in the region of £40 million to tempt him into joining the Prancing Horse. Ferrari’s president Elkann is said to be leading the talks to sign the seven-time F1 champion.

The report also stated that if Lewis Hamilton joins Ferrari, he would work alongside Charles Leclerc, which would leave Carlos Sainz to look for a new team.