It’s every week of “firsts” for Lewis Hamilton. From his first day in Maranello as a Ferrari driver, with a go to to the manufacturing unit and varied departments on Monday, to his debut behind the wheel of a Ferrari within the fog of Fiorano on Wednesday, January 22—a day that has already made its mark within the historical past books.
A partnership that appeared unlikely to ever materialize turned a actuality in 2025. Hamilton lined his first kilometers within the morning driving a Ferrari SF-23, the 2023 automotive, in compliance with TPC take a look at rules, which require using a automotive a minimum of two seasons previous.
The seven-time world champion arrived on the group’s headquarters in Maranello earlier than shifting to the small sq. by the Fiorano circuit. Underneath a grey sky with just a few drops of rain, harking back to his house in England, Hamilton left the Fiorano pit lane for the primary time within the SF-23 at 9:16 a.m.
Lewis Hamilton accomplished round thirty laps cut up into 5 runs, together with in-out laps and the set up lap that marked the start of his Ferrari profession. He began the day with full wets on account of early morning rain that barely dampened the observe. Later within the day, he switched to white-banded demo slicks as circumstances improved.
The 40-year-old’s Ferrari debut was trouble-free, aside from just a few lock-ups on the chicane on the chilly, damp circuit. After handing over the Ferrari to his new teammate Charles Leclerc for the afternoon session, Lewis Hamilton expressed his happiness about his first day in pink.
“I’ve been lucky to expertise many firsts in my profession, from my first take a look at to my first race, first podium, first win, and first championship, so I wasn’t certain what number of extra firsts I’d have [in my career],” Lewis Hamilton mentioned.
“However driving a Scuderia Ferrari automotive for the primary time this morning was one of many best emotions of my life. After I fired up the engine and drove out of the storage, I had an enormous smile on my face.”
“It jogged my memory of the primary time I drove a System 1 automotive—it was such an emotional and particular second. And right here I’m, nearly twenty years later, feeling these feelings once more.”
After finishing his on-track program, LEwis Hamilton briefly greeted the various followers alongside the circuit. Over time, the Briton has undoubtedly discovered that the Ferrari world is fueled by ardour, nearly like a faith reasonably than only a group. Nevertheless, experiencing it from the within as an official Ferrari driver is a very totally different sensation.
“I already knew from the skin how passionate the Ferrari household is, from all of the group members to the followers. However now, as a Ferrari driver, it was spectacular to witness this ardour firsthand,” mentioned the seven-time world champion.
“The eagerness runs of their veins, and you may’t assist however really feel energized by it. I’m very grateful for the love I’ve felt from everybody in Maranello this week. We’ve lots of work forward, however I can’t wait to get began.”
Within the afternoon, Charles Leclerc additionally took to the observe for his first session of 2025, though it lasted solely 14 laps because of the rain. With TPC checks restricted by rules to only 1,000 kilometers for the 2 official drivers all through the season, Ferrari determined to finish the session round 2 p.m., because the observe remained significantly moist.
“The primary day within the automotive is at all times a implausible feeling after the vacations. It’s nice to be again on observe and see so many followers coming to look at us. Feeling all this pleasure across the group could be very motivating. In fact, it was additionally good to see Lewis take his first laps with Ferrari—a particular second for the group and for him. Now I can’t wait to get again within the automotive subsequent week,” mentioned Charles Leclerc.
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