Lewis Hamilton has described his first experience driving a Ferrari Formula 1 car as “one of the best feelings of my life”.
Hamilton sat behind the wheel of the 2023 Ferrari F1 car in front of about 1,500 fans at the Scuderia’s Fiorano test track on Wednesday, giving his first glimpse. Sky Sports News’ The cameras – and reporter Craig Slater.
The 40-year-old’s shock move to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari was announced 12 months ago and his first outing in one of their iconic red cars has been eagerly awaited ever since.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have many first-place finishes in my career, from my first test to my first race, podium, win and championship,” Hamilton said.
“I’m not sure how many other firsts I’ve done, but driving the Scuderia Ferrari HP car for the first time this morning was one of the best feelings of my life.”
“When I started the car and walked in that garage door, I had the biggest smile on my face. It reminded me of testing a Formula 1 car for the first time, it was such an exciting and special moment, and here Here I am, almost 20 years later, feeling those feelings again.”
What happened in Hamilton’s first Ferrari test?
Hamilton completed 30 laps (55 miles) of the Fiorano Circuit, just over a quarter of the normal Grand Prix distance.
After the installation lap, which was watched by his family and senior Ferrari people, including team principal Frédéric Vasseur and vice president Piero Ferrari, Hamilton returned to the garage before doing some flying laps and beginning practice runs to get used to the system. Gave.
Hamilton was driving with a Ferrari engine behind him in F1 for the first time, having exclusively used Mercedes power since his debut at McLaren in 2007, before joining the German manufacturer’s own team in 2013.
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Sky Sports News reporter Craig Slater was on the ground in Italy to get the latest reaction from the tifosi as Lewis Hamilton made his first trip in a Ferrari.
The morning after his test, Hamilton went out to meet some of the tifosi to thank them for coming out to witness the historic moment.
“I already knew from the outside how passionate the Ferrari family is, from everyone in the team to the tifosi!” He said.
“But now to see it firsthand as a Ferrari driver is awe-inspiring. This passion runs through his veins and you can’t help but be energized by it.
“I am very grateful for the love I have received from everyone in Maranello this week, we have a lot of work to do but I can’t wait to get started.”
Leclerc: Special moment for the team
All teams are still working steadily on their new 2025 cars behind closed doors at their respective factories until pre-season testing in Bahrain on 26–28 February, ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Till then only more than a month is left. On 16 March.
Using the same SF-23 car, Hamilton’s new team-mate, Charles Leclerc, ran a different event in the afternoon and completed 14 laps in his first outing of 2025.
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Take a look at what Lewis Hamilton did on his first day at Ferrari on Monday
Leclerc said, “The first day in the car after a holiday is always a great feeling. It’s good to be back on the track, to see so many fans come out to see us.”
“It’s very inspiring to feel this excitement around the team. It was a nice day, although it was raining a bit when I was driving.
“Of course it was great to see Lewis drive his first lap in the Ferrari, which was a special moment for the team and him. Now I’m looking forward to getting back in the car next week and really starting to work hard for the coming season.” I am working hard.”
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Frederic Vasseur gives his thoughts on Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari and whether there will be a period of adaptation for the seven-time world champion
Team Principal Vasseur said: “As it happens every year, the first time you go to the track is like the first day of school and quite an emotional feeling, especially today because it was Lewis’s first day on the team.
“Welcoming a new driver is always an important moment. Perhaps today was less special for Charles, but it was good to see him fit, relaxed and eager to go racing again.
“As far as the technical side is concerned, Charles and Lewis did not complete their lap in the best of weather, but they are back in the swing of things and themselves ahead of the first proper test in a month’s time in Bahrain. Immersed in the track environment. This was the only warm-up for the team in the garage today.”
Watch all 24 race weekends of the 2025 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports F1, starting with the Australian GP on 14-16 March. Stream Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel anytime
