Ferrari’s new star signing has officially begun his thrilling journey in Italy this week, marking a significant chapter in Formula 1 history. Lewis Hamilton, the seasoned champion and seven-time world title holder, has taken to the track for the first time behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car. This monumental occasion unfolded at the team’s esteemed test track located in the picturesque region of Maranello.
Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari, following an illustrious twelve-year stint at Mercedes, has captured the attention of motorsport enthusiasts globally. His departure from the Silver Arrows came at the end of the 2024 season, and the announcement of his signing with the legendary Prancing Horse sent shockwaves throughout the F1 community last February. It is widely regarded as the sport’s most high-profile transfer of all time, creating an atmosphere of eager anticipation for his debut in the iconic red car.
Early Wednesday morning, Hamilton completed his maiden run in Ferrari’s 2023 car around the Fiorano track, situated conveniently next to the team’s factory. The moment was expertly documented by Sky Sports News, with reporter Craig Slater on site to capture the unfolding history. The test began precisely at 9:16 am local time, amid misty conditions that added an air of mystique to the debut.
In the lead-up to the track session, Ferrari unveiled a first photograph of Hamilton clad in a striking red race suit, piquing the interest of fans and media alike. Shortly before his on-track debut, the team also showcased a glimpse of Hamilton’s new helmet design in a social media post, further building excitement around this historic partnership. The dynamic combination of Hamilton and Ferrari brings together the most successful driver in the sport’s history and the most decorated team, an alliance expected to produce exceptional results on the track.
The significance of this union cannot be overstated. Hamilton, who recently celebrated his 40th birthday, boasts a record 105 race victories and shares a joint-record of seven world championships. Meanwhile, Ferrari leads the all-time standings with 15 drivers’ championships and 16 constructors’ titles. However, it’s noteworthy that the Scuderia has not clinched a title since 2008. They faced a close finish last season, ending just 14 points behind McLaren, the new constructors’ champions, in what was a competitive racing landscape.
In light of stringent testing regulations aimed at cost control, Ferrari and all other teams have been diligently developing their new 2025 cars behind closed doors. With pre-season testing scheduled to kick off in Bahrain from February 26 to 28, time is of the essence to fine-tune their vehicles. Under the current regulations, teams are permitted to run certain recent cars, and Ferrari has seized this opportunity to allow Hamilton a taste of their operations on the track while adapting to the unique characteristics of Ferrari’s engineering.
This initial experience is crucial for Hamilton, as it marks his first encounter with Ferrari’s renowned engine, having exclusively raced with Mercedes power during the first 18 years of his F1 career, first at McLaren and later with Mercedes. The Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulation for 2025 allows teams to utilize cars from the 2023, 2022, or 2021 seasons. In a recent rule modification, current race drivers are limited to 1,000 kilometers of running in such machinery over a maximum of four days throughout the calendar year, with Ferrari using their inaugural TPC days at Fiorano for Hamilton’s introduction to their operations.
Adding to the excitement, team principal Frederic Vasseur hinted before the festive break about the possibility of Hamilton participating in Pirelli’s tire test days during January and February. This would further immerse him in the team’s training and preparation as they gear up for the upcoming season. The combination of Hamilton’s unparalleled talent and Ferrari’s illustrious heritage sets the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating season ahead in Formula 1.
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