Lewis Hamilton drives Ferrari F1 car on streets of Milan ahead of 2025 season
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, made a thrilling appearance in a Ferrari car on the streets of Milan on Thursday, sending excitement levels soaring among Ferrari fans as the countdown begins to his first F1 race with the Scuderia. The 40-year-old British driver, who bid farewell to Mercedes after an illustrious 12-year stint that yielded six world titles, has been warmly welcomed by Ferrari enthusiasts since his move to the Italian team in January.
As the season-opening Australian Grand Prix draws near, Hamilton joined forces with his teammate Charles Leclerc for a spectacular showrun in Milan. Hamilton got behind the wheel of the SF-21, Ferrari’s 2021 car, while Leclerc drove the SF-90, Ferrari’s 2019 challenger and his first Scuderia car. The two drivers put on a dazzling display, racing around the picturesque Piazza Castello before treating the thousands of fans gathered in the Italian city to a thrilling donut show on Thursday evening.
The event was organized to celebrate Ferrari’s partnership with premium partner UniCredit, with team principal Fred Vasseur also in attendance. This was not Hamilton’s first experience with a Ferrari car, having driven one for the first time in January at the team’s private Fiorano track. The British driver was effusive in his praise for the Scuderia car, describing it as “nothing like” the cars he had driven during his previous stints with Mercedes and McLaren.
“It’s nothing like the car that I’ve had before the last 10, 12, 17 years,” Hamilton said in his first official interview donning Ferrari colors. “It’s unique on its own. To feel the vibration of the Ferrari engine for the first time, wow! That’s what I think ultimately put the biggest smile on my face.” Hamilton also expressed his deep sense of honor and pride in wearing the Ferrari badge and suit, vowing to make the most of this new chapter in his illustrious career.
Reflecting on his initial days with the Ferrari team, Hamilton recounted the electrifying reception he received from staff and fans at Ferrari HQ in Maranello. “There are only a handful of special first times in life,” he mused. “The first kiss, the first date, the first time of school, the first time in the job. I honestly thought I had all my firsts and nothing was ever going to be new again.”
Hamilton confessed that he was taken aback by the sheer excitement and novelty of joining a new team, despite his vast experience in the sport. “I’ve raced for so long… and even I’m surprised at just how much I still love what I do and it felt so new,” he said, his enthusiasm and eagerness to get started with Ferrari palpable. As the Australian Grand Prix beckons, all eyes will be on Hamilton and Ferrari to see if they can mount a strong challenge for the championship.
