Lewis Hamilton Visits Ferrari F1 Factory Ahead of First Test with…read more
Lewis Hamilton is set to embark on a new chapter in his Formula 1 career as he prepares for his debut with Ferrari. The seven-time world champion, who spent the last 12 years with Mercedes, visited the Scuderia’s Maranello factory on Monday ahead of his first run with Ferrari at the Fiorano circuit. Hamilton is scheduled to drive the F1-75, a car from the 2022 F1 season, on January 22, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Hamilton, who recently signed with Ferrari to partner Charles Leclerc for the upcoming season, took the opportunity to familiarize himself with his new team and surroundings. His first day at Maranello included a series of important meetings with Ferrari’s leadership, including team principal Frederic Vasseur, CEO Benedetto Vigna, and vice-chairman Piero Ferrari. Vasseur, who had a long history with Hamilton in the early stages of his career, having worked with him at the ASM/ART team in the F3 Euro Series and GP2 in the mid-2000s, was especially keen to welcome him to the team.
During the visit, Hamilton also met with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, who previously worked alongside Carlos Sainz. The team had prepared Hamilton’s seat and made the necessary adjustments to the car, ensuring that everything was in place for his upcoming test. Additionally, the British driver had the chance to take a first run on the simulator to get accustomed to his new environment and the Ferrari setup. Further technical meetings and briefings were planned for the following days to ensure Hamilton’s readiness for his test drive.
Reflecting on the significance of the day, Hamilton shared his excitement on social media, expressing that joining Ferrari was a dream come true. “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever, and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days,” he wrote. He acknowledged the incredible achievements he’s had in his career, yet hinted that racing for Ferrari had always been an aspiration. “Part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. I couldn’t be happier to realize that dream today,” he added.
The anticipation surrounding Hamilton’s debut has captivated fans of Ferrari, known as the tifosi. The enthusiasm has been so intense that local hotels in the Sassuolo area are reportedly fully booked. Maranello’s mayor, Luigi Zironi, has also asked for heightened security measures to manage the crowds and traffic near Ferrari’s headquarters and the Fiorano track.
Hamilton’s first official test will take place at Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit, followed by another testing session at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya later in January. Ferrari plans to maximize its annual allowance of 1000 kilometers for testing with previous cars, a stipulation under the new F1 sporting regulations for 2025. This presents a valuable opportunity for Hamilton to get accustomed to Ferrari’s setup and performance ahead of the new season.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari marks the beginning of a new era for the iconic team, and both the driver and the team are excited about the journey ahead. As Hamilton and Leclerc prepare for the upcoming season, there’s a strong sense of optimism surrounding the future of Ferrari in Formula 1.
