Lewis Hamilton is just weeks away from making his official debut as a Ferrari driver at the Australian Grand Prix.
The seven-time champion was signed as part of Ferrari’s plans to end a 17-year title drought in the near future.
They nearly won the constructors’ championship last season, missing out by 14 points, and bringing Hamilton in could give them the edge that they need.
It’s his job alongside Charles Leclerc to take the fight to McLaren – the team he made his debut with some 18 years ago next month.
Hamilton says Ferrari’s reception blew him away on his first factory visit after he started in January, with his new colleagues excited by his arrival.
Within the building, Ferrari may have taken inspiration from Mercedes for a key part ahead of the 2025 season, with a new rear wing that is reminiscent of their rivals.
Lewis Hamilton says his Ferrari debut ‘feels like’ his F1 debut in 2007
Ferrari hit the track with their brand new SF25 for the first time at their Fiorano test track this week and they lapped impressively.
With McLaren expected to have made gains too, the season-opener is set to be one of the most exciting races in recent history. No one quite knows where the likes of Red Bull and Verstappen will be or Hamilton in red.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton reveals what ‘I still pinch myself’ about at Ferrari after first laps in SF-25
Speaking about his Ferrari debut, the Brit said that it reminds him of his first race in the sport back in 2007.
“To be honest, it feels like what I remember having my first Grand Prix in Melbourne,” he said. “The first Grand Prix in 2007, it’s that sort of excitement in the build-up being that it’s the first time with Ferrari.
“They obviously finished the season very strong last year, second in the constructors’. We’re under no illusion that we have a lot of work to do. It’s going to be very, very close between all these top cars and top teams. We’re just trying to be diligent, and everyone is really level-headed and calm.
“Everyone believes that each of us, every single one of us can improve and we’re all trying to sharpen our tools to be the best we can be. The energy is there, the motivation is there and more. The dedication is there and more, which is great to see.”
Nigel Mansell makes ‘monumental’ Lewis Hamilton prediction ahead of Ferrari debut
The last full-time British Ferrari driver was one-time champion Nigel Mansell, who drove for them 35 years ago in 1995.
He knows a thing or two about winning in red and is one of few people in the world who know how much pressure there is to win with the Italian team.
Mansell made a ‘monumental’ Hamilton prediction for his Ferrari debut and has backed him to be in contention for both championships.
READ MORE: Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur uses one-word to describe how Lewis Hamilton felt during F1 75 livery launch
Pre-season testing will mark his first chance to experience some sustained long running on a permanent Formula 1 track, offering the chance to assess his level relative to his teammate.
With only three days of running between both cars, the team won’t have much time to work on their car before it gets sent to Melbourne for the first race of the season just two weeks on from the Bahrain running.
Leave feedback about this