Lewis Hamilton has got his first taste of his 2025 Ferrari challenger. The seven-time champion drove the SF-25 around the Fiorano circuit on Wednesday.
The test came a day after Hamilton made his first public appearance as a Ferrari driver at the F1 75 launch event. The Maranello outfit unveiled their 2025 livery along with the other nine teams on the grid.
Fans around the world have had to wait almost a year to see the 40-year-old in red. Hamilton received an incredible reception as he walked on stage at the event.
Team principal Frederic Vasseur says Hamilton was ’emotional’ at the event. The Brit’s lifelong dream of racing for Ferrari is starting to become more real.
Ferrari wasted no time in getting straight back to work as they flew straight back to Italy to test the SF-25 at Fiorano the following day. Hamilton conducted his first test for the team at the circuit in the SF-23 in January.
The seven-time champion visited the Maranello factory for the first time days prior. Hamilton was ‘blown away’ by the passion of Ferrari’s employees as he saw the operation of F1’s most successful team.
Lewis Hamilton thanks Ferrari fans after conducting his first test in the SF-25
Hamilton drove the SF-25 in the afternoon while teammate Charles Leclerc drove the car in the morning.
The session was hampered by a slight issue for the latter. Leclerc stopped on track after suffering ‘a problem’ – thankfully for Ferrari, it was in the shakedown session so any technical issues can be ironed out before pre-season testing in Bahrain.
Like Hamilton’s first test, thousands of Ferrari fans turned up to watch on from the bridge overlooking the track and the surrounding area.
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The mayor of Maranello even declared a state of emergency in January to help police regulate the traffic in the small Italian town.
It shows the devotion the famous Tifosi have for their team – and Hamilton appreciated their incredible support with a message on social media.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Hamilton continued to showcase his progress in learning Italian as he told the Ferrari faithful: “Grazie Tifosi,” after the test.
Ferrari are already loving Lewis Hamilton according to Jean Alesi
Hamilton is ‘invigorated’ ahead of the 2025 season. The 40-year-old is more motivated than ever to grab his record-eighth title with Ferrari.
This excitement and drive to succeed has reaped benefits already for the Maranello outfit. Jean Alesi says Ferrari are already impressed by Hamilton with his work behind the scenes ahead of 2025.
Nigel Mansell predicts a ‘monumental’ season for Hamilton in 2025. The 1992 champion says Ferrari are overdue a championship, having not won a drivers’ or constructors’ title since 2007 and 2008 respectively.
Hamilton will be desperate to make his stint at Ferrari a success after a difficult end to his time with Mercedes. If the SF-25 proves competitive, he could be a force to be reckoned with.
