Lewis Hamilton has officially reported to Ferrari’s Maranello factory to begin his preparations for the 2025 season. It marks the start of what he hopes will be a glorious final chapter of his F1 career.
Predictably, Hamilton’s first day involved plenty of introductions. After reuniting with Fred Vasseur – his team boss in the junior categories – he met with the rest of the Ferrari management.
That included CEO Benedetto Vigna and vice-chairman Piero Ferrari, son of company founder Enzo. He then visited each department at the Maranello facility.
The main event of the week will be Hamilton’s first test. Fans are desperate for a glimpse of the seven-time world champion behind the wheel of the iconic scarlet red cars.
Under the rules, Ferrari are allowed to use the 2022 or 2023 cars for the occasion. Hamilton could also drive the 2025 car before the official pre-season test in Bahrain late next month.
The Scuderia haven’t confirmed when his first outing at Fiorano will be. Sensibly perhaps, he’ll drive the car on the simulator first.
Maranello mayor declares emergency amid ‘onslaught’ of fans for Lewis Hamilton
Earlier this month, Ferrari were warned that Hamilton’s arrival would be ‘hard work for the police’. And that’s proving to be the case.
So much so, the mayor of Maranello has declared a state of emergency, according to F1-Insider. He’s asked for surrounding communities to dispatch extra officers to help.
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They will primarily be tasked with regulating traffic around the small town, which may have tipped beyond its capacity amid an ‘onslaught’ of fans. This is arguably the biggest driver transfer in the history of F1.
All the local hotels are said to be fully booked. Ferrari are doing what they can to ease the pressure by keeping Hamilton’s test plans a secret, otherwise fans would flock to Fiorano.
Lando Norris was in awe of Lewis Hamilton’s first photo as a Ferrari driver
Ferrari released their first official image of Hamilton on Monday, capturing the Englishman next to an F40 – his favourite supercar – in front of Enzo’s home. At the time of writing, the post is approaching five million likes on Instagram.
Damon Hill fuelled the excitement around Hamilton by writing ‘there it is, the beginning’. The 40-year-old is pursuing an unprecedented eighth world title with the Italian giants.
Meanwhile, McLaren driver Lando Norris called Hamilton a ‘don’. He was clad in a suit and overcoat, rather than team gear.
Ferrari are to hold a launch event on 19 February, a day after the F175 ceremony in London. They’ll reveal their livery at the O2, just like the other nine teams.
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