Lewis Hamilton drove Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 car for the first time on Wednesday. Even before its first race, it is a historic machine.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is arguably the most significant driver transfer in the sport’s entire history. Whether or not it lives up to expectations, the SF-25 will therefore be remembered for generations.
Charles Leclerc was the first to take to the Fiorano test track, situated near the team’s Maranello factory. In a repeat of Hamilton’s first outing in January (when he drove the 2023 car), there were thousands of fans in attendance.
It’s been another emotional week for the seven-time world champion. Fred Vasseur said Hamilton was moved at the F1 75 season launch on Tuesday as he received the loudest cheer of the night from the O2 Arena crowd.
There are reports that Leclerc stopped on track in the new car, but Ferrari insist everything went smoothly. In less than a week’s time, they will hit the circuit in Bahrain for pre-season testing.
Both drivers will be in a better place to judge the new car after that, and the lap times will be publicly available. The purpose of a shakedown is largely to iron out any technical faults rather than testing overall performance.
Lewis Hamilton’s meet-and-greet immediately won over the Ferrari team
Hamilton has reunited with old trainer Angela Cullen at Ferrari, and she isn’t the only familiar face from his Mercedes days. Former Silver Arrows engineer Loic Serra will be responsible for his chassis this year.
What’s more, ex-F1 driver Jerome D’Ambrosio, who previously headed up the Mercedes academy, is now the deputy of team principal Fred Vasseur. Speaking to The Athletic, D’Ambrosio said everyone at Ferrari ‘loves’ Hamilton already.
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On his first day, he made an effort to ‘meet and shake hands’ with every member of staff – a total of around 1,500 people. D’Ambrosio called this an ‘amazing’ gesture.
Hamilton has been living at the Ferrari factory in his motorhome. He’s been known to invite his new engineers to lunch as he tries to form a bond.
“He’s quite amazing with people,” D’Ambrosio said. “The team already loves him after the first day.”
Lewis Hamilton was taken aback by one thing when he first visited Ferrari factory
Hamilton ‘still pinches himself’ when he thinks about being a Ferrari driver. He’s dreamed of representing the Scuderia throughout his career.
At some point, the novelty will have to wear off. He can’t afford to drive emotionally as he chases a record-breaking eighth world championship.
Hamilton was ‘blown away’ by the reception he received at Maranello. He relishes the passion he can feel in the factory.
D’Ambrosio’s remarks echo comments made by former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi. He says Hamilton has ‘impressed everybody’ with his attitude, which will no doubt delight chairman John Elkann after an enormous investment.
