The first images of Lewis Hamilton’s debut with Ferrari in Fiorano
The seven-time F1 world champion took to the track in Fiorano at the wheel of a Ferrari in front of a crowd of tifosi who turned out to witness the British driver's first drive.
Translate: Lewis Hamilton is determined to finish his F1 career on a historic note by winning an eighth world title with Ferrari, according to some claims.
Monday, he made his first appearance in Maranello, the famous headquarters of Ferrari in F1, soaking in the atmosphere of the team before his first season with the Scuderia in 2025.
A first taxiing
This Wednesday morning, the Briton completed his first laps with his new team Ferrari, at the wheel of the 2023 F1 car, marking a spectacular turning point after 12 years with Mercedes.
Shortly after 9 a.m., Lewis Hamilton took to the foggy Fiorano track under the eyes of hundreds of tifosi who came to see their new hero. His family was also present, with his father Anthony, his stepmother Linda, and his mother Carmen, adding a touch of emotion to this special day.
Craig Slater from Sky Sports described the atmosphere: « A fantastic atmosphere here, a warm and spontaneous welcome for Lewis Hamilton. Many tifosi and Ferrari fans are present with banners to support him. It almost feels like he has always been part of this team. In recent days, he has completely immersed himself in the Ferrari universe and now fully feels like a Ferrari driver. »
These tests were strictly regulated, taking place during a public filming day with a two-year-old car and non-race-approved tires. But they provided Hamilton with a valuable first opportunity to adapt to his new team.
The team boss, Fred Vasseur, emphasized the importance of staying focused: « He wants the emotion to be limited to a single lap, as it is strictly about work. »
Lewis Hamilton is also surrounding himself with his trusted team for this new phase of his career. His manager, Marc Hynes, was present, as was Angela Cullen, his long-time physiotherapist, who will be back by his side during race weekends.
He becomes the 12th British driver to race for Ferrari in F1. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of legends like Mike Hawthorn, the first British world champion in 1958 with Ferrari, and John Surtees, who also won the title with the Scuderia.
Craig Slater concluded: « Can he achieve what he hopes to be the masterpiece of his career with an eighth championship at the most famous team in F1? It’s the ultimate pinnacle of this sport. »
The challenge will not be easy, with a teammate like Charles Leclerc, who performed very well after the summer break last season. But for Lewis Hamilton, this quest for an eighth title with Ferrari could very well be the ultimate accomplishment of his career.
