Lewis Hamilton says the fervour that exists round Ferrari was “awe-inspiring” to expertise after finishing his first check for the staff at Fiorano on Wednesday.
The seven-time world champion logged 30 laps of the Ferrari check monitor in Maranello, watched by crowds of followers who had gathered to try to acquire a view of the circuit. Hamilton mentioned driving a Ferrari Method 1 automobile for the primary time was one of the crucial particular moments of his profession, and the expertise has left him hungry to start racing for the staff.
“I’ve been fortunate sufficient to have many firsts in my profession, from the primary check to the primary race, podium, win and championship, so I wasn’t certain what number of extra firsts I had, however driving a Scuderia Ferrari HP automobile for the primary time this morning was top-of-the-line emotions of my life,” Hamilton mentioned.
“After I began the automobile up and drove by that storage door, I had the largest smile on my face. It jogged my memory of the very first time I examined a Method 1 automobile. It was such an thrilling and particular second, and right here I’m, virtually 20 years later, feeling these feelings over again.
“I already knew from the skin how passionate the Ferrari household is, from everybody within the staff to the Tifosi. However to now witness it firsthand as a Ferrari driver has been awe-inspiring. That zeal runs by their veins and you may’t assist however be energized by it. I’m so grateful for the love I’ve felt from everybody in Maranello this week, we have now loads of work to do however I can’t wait to get began.”
Hamilton’s run was adopted by 14 laps in damp circumstances for Charles Leclerc – Ferrari utilizing up a mixed 131km of its most 1000km of race driver working for the yr – because the Monegasque started his 2025 schedule.
“The primary day again within the automobile is all the time an excellent feeling after the vacations,” Leclerc mentioned. “It’s good to be again on monitor, to see that so many followers got here out to observe us. Feeling all this pleasure surrounding the staff may be very motivating. It was a superb day, despite the fact that it was raining a little bit bit after I was driving.
“In fact it was good to have the ability to see Lewis driving his first laps in a Ferrari, which was a particular second for the staff and for him. Now I’m wanting ahead to being again within the automobile subsequent week and to actually begin working onerous for the approaching season.”
Staff principal Fred Vasseur agreed it was a big event for the 2 drivers, however careworn the significance of the working from an operational viewpoint as Hamilton started work together with his new race engineer Riccardo Adami.
“As is the case yearly, the primary time you exit on monitor is a bit like the primary day again at college and fairly an emotional feeling, particularly right this moment because it was Lewis’ first day as a part of the staff,” Vasseur mentioned. “Welcoming a brand new driver is all the time an vital second. Possibly right this moment was much less particular for Charles, nevertheless it was good to see him match, relaxed and eager to go racing once more.
“As for the technical aspect, Charles and Lewis did their laps in not the perfect climate, however they acquired again within the swing of issues and immersed themselves within the monitor setting previous to the primary correct check in a month’s time in Bahrain. It was additionally a warm-up for the staff within the storage. That was the only goal of right this moment.”
