Lewis Hamilton is ready to drive Ferrari’s 2025 Components 1 automobile for the primary time subsequent week, with a shakedown scheduled for 19 February on the Fiorano check observe. The event will mark a significant milestone in his journey with the Scuderia as he will get behind the wheel of the pink machine.
Nevertheless, the temper at Ferrari is considerably blended in regards to the upcoming launch of the F175 in London. The workforce is annoyed by the necessity to fly to the occasion, particularly as their UK-based opponents will solely must make a brief journey. Regardless of the logistics, all eyes will probably be on Hamilton, who is anticipated to be the principle attraction as he makes his first official look as a Ferrari driver. Though 1000’s of followers have been current for his first check final month, that occasion was supposed to be non-public. Crew principal Fred Vasseur has labored exhausting to maintain the media frenzy round Hamilton’s signing in test.
Following his first outing with Ferrari within the 2023 automobile, Lewis Hamilton traveled to Barcelona, the place a crash on the second day disrupted Ferrari’s testing plan. Whereas the workforce downplayed the importance of the incident, it did solid a shadow over the proceedings. Nevertheless, he additionally took half in a Pirelli tyre check in a modified SF-24 on the similar circuit, which reportedly went with none main points.
Essentially the most essential second in Lewis Hamilton’s pre-season preparation would be the official check in Bahrain, which is simply over two weeks away. Off the observe, Lewis Hamilton has been making efforts to combine along with his new colleagues and inspire the workforce as he settles into his function on the Italian aspect.
At Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters, Hamilton made a big gesture that has already been well-received by the workforce. Showing on stage with Fred Vasseur and teammate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton addressed the employees in Italian, thanking them for his or her heat welcome and expressing his pleasure about driving for Ferrari—a dream he has lengthy harbored. Though Lewis Hamilton needed to learn from his cellphone, Ferrari workers appreciated his effort to study the language and immerse himself in his new environment. This gesture went a great distance in gaining the help of the workforce, with the gang giving him the warmest reception. Whereas Leclerc is already fluent in Italian, Lewis Hamilton will little doubt proceed to work on his language expertise as he settles into life on the Maranello workforce.
Lewis Hamilton’s efforts are already being in comparison with these of Michael Schumacher, who, regardless of a legendary profession at Ferrari, by no means made the hassle to talk Italian throughout his time with the workforce. In distinction, Hamilton has made it clear that his want to win stays as sturdy as ever, and he’s dedicated to pushing for a world championship with Ferrari. Former F1 driver Jaime Alguersuari has prompt that Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari is about extra than simply successful—it’s additionally about having fun with his time with the workforce earlier than retirement. Nevertheless, regardless of this, it’s clear the British driver wouldn’t have made the change if he didn’t imagine he might nonetheless problem for an eighth world title.
Along with his Italian efforts already going additional than Michael Schumacher’s, Lewis Hamilton has set a robust basis in his quest to endear himself to Ferrari and show that he’s not simply there for enjoyable, however to win and add to his legendary profession.