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 numerous 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 coated his first kilometers within the morning driving a Ferrari SF-23, the 2023 automotive, in compliance with TPC check rules, which require using a automotive not less than two seasons outdated.
The seven-time world champion arrived on the staff’s headquarters in Maranello earlier than transferring to the small sq. by the Fiorano circuit. Beneath a grey sky with just a few drops of rain, harking back to his dwelling 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 resulting from early morning rain that barely dampened the observe. Later within the day, he switched to white-banded demo slicks as situations 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 crimson.
“I’ve been lucky to expertise many firsts in my profession, from my first check 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 stated.
“However driving a Scuderia Ferrari automotive for the primary time this morning was one of many best emotions of my life. Once 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 Method 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 numerous followers alongside the circuit. Through the years, the Briton has undoubtedly discovered that the Ferrari world is fueled by ardour, nearly like a faith reasonably than only a staff. Nonetheless, experiencing it from the within as an official Ferrari driver is a very totally different sensation.
“I already knew from the surface how passionate the Ferrari household is, from all of the staff members to the followers. However now, as a Ferrari driver, it was spectacular to witness this ardour firsthand,” stated 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 loads 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 as a result of rain. With TPC exams restricted by rules to simply 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 observe us. Feeling all this pleasure across the staff may be very motivating. After all, it was additionally good to see Lewis take his first laps with Ferrari—a particular second for the staff and for him. Now I can’t wait to get again within the automotive subsequent week,” stated Charles Leclerc.
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