F1 legend Lewis Hamilton has hit the track in a Ferrari for the first time after his shock switch.
The seven-time champion sent shockwaves throughout the paddock 11 months ago when he announced he’d be making a move to the Scuderia for 2025 – and fans have now finally seen the iconic 44 on a machine from Maranello, with Hamilton also sporting his stunning new yellow helmet design. It’s the first time in his 18-season F1 career that he’s driven a car powered by anything other than a Mercedes engine, with the 40-year-old tasked with helping Ferrari win its first drivers’ world title since 2007.
Hamilton will have to wait before getting his hands on the team’s 2025 car but set laps in Ferrari’s 2023 machine around their Fiorano track – opposite the team’s factory in misty conditions just after 9am local time. Hundreds of Tifosi gathered for a glimpse of their new hero in action, with just over a month to go until the first official test of pre-season gets underway in Bahrain.
Ferrari are using this maiden test at their Fiorano track to simply help their new driver get to grips with his new team. And there will be another session to come at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya later this month, where Hamilton will again be testing outdated machinery to help him feel more at home in his new surroundings.
He sent fans into a frenzy early this week by posting his first picture as a Ferrari driver, with fans and pundits speculating about a cryptic message that could be hidden in the background. Posting on his Instagram page, the former McLaren man said: “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days. I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. I couldn’t be happier to realise that dream today. Today we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together.”