Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari journey started in an unexpected way—under a grey sky at Fiorano. At 11 AM on Wednesday, he took his first laps in the SF-23, Ferrari’s 2023 F1 car, marking the moment everyone had been waiting for since last February’s announcement. Watching the seven-time champion behind the wheel of a Prancing Horse feels surreal, even after nearly a year to let it sink in. Read More Lamborghini Says ‘No’ to Restomods and Continuation Cars For Hamilton, this wasn’t just another test day. “One of the best feelings of my life,” he said after completing his first laps. It’s a big shift for someone who spent 12 seasons dominating in silver, winning six titles with Mercedes. Seeing him in Ferrari red, helmet redesigned with darker yellow and a hint of red, made it clear—this is the next chapter. He’s been spending the week at Maranello, getting a feel for his new surroundings in what he called an “immersion programme.” First Drive at Fiorano Hamilton’s first day in a Ferrari was one for the books. He arrived in Maranello earlier this week and wasted no time stepping into the heart of Ferrari’s legacy. A quick snapshot in front of Enzo Ferrari’s house—complete with a Ferrari F40 parked beside him—set the internet buzzing. But the real highlight came a few days later at Fiorano. It was a foggy morning, but that didn’t dim the excitement. Hamilton slid into the SF-23, his first outing in Ferrari red. He started cautiously, getting a feel for the car with an installation lap on wet tyres. By the time the tyres switched to slicks, he was pushing through flying laps and practice starts, clocking 30 laps in total. On the sidelines, his family, team boss Fred Vasseur, and deputy Jerome d’Ambrosio watched every move. “When I started the car up and drove through that garage door, I had the biggest smile on my face,” Hamilton said later. “It reminded me of the very first time I tested a Formula 1 car… almost 20 years later, feeling those emotions all over again.” The Tifosi turned out in numbers, as they always do, to catch a glimpse of their new hero. Some had waited hours just for the chance to see him drive. “I already knew how passionate the Ferrari family is, but witnessing it firsthand as a driver has been awe-inspiring,” he shared. After the session, Hamilton spent time with the engineers before walking over to greet the fans who had gathered to welcome him. “It’s been an unforgettable week,” Hamilton said. “We have a lot of work to do, but I can’t wait to get started.” Leclerc’s Return and Ferrari’s 2025 Preparations While Lewis Hamilton made headlines with his first Ferrari laps, Charles Leclerc quietly went about his own programme in the afternoon. The Monegasque completed 14 laps at Fiorano, battling a slick, rain-soaked track. It wasn’t just technical work, though. To the delight of fans braving the weather, Leclerc wrapped up his session with celebratory donuts. For Leclerc, the day was about shaking off the offseason rust. “The first day back in the car is always a great feeling after the holidays,” he said. “It’s good to be back on track, to see that so many fans came out to watch us. Feeling all this excitement surrounding the team is very motivating.” Leclerc also took a moment to acknowledge the significance of the day for his new teammate. “Of course, it was nice to see Lewis driving his first laps in a Ferrari, which was a special moment for the team and for him.” Read More Ferrari F80 Takes Centre Stage at Times Square as US Tour Begins The weather wasn’t ideal, but team boss Fred Vasseur saw it as a valuable exercise. “The first time you go out on track is a bit like the first day back at school,” he said. “It was quite an emotional feeling, especially today as it was Lewis’ first day as part of the team. For Charles, maybe it was less special, but it was good to see him fit, relaxed, and ready to go racing again.” The session was a chance for the team to sharpen their routines ahead of a busy pre-season schedule. Next on Ferrari’s calendar is a three-day test at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, the final chapter for the track before Spain’s Grand Prix moves to Madrid in 2026. Excitement will hit another gear in February when all 10 teams gather at London’s O2 Arena to reveal their 2025 liveries in a joint event. Ferrari’s own car debut will follow a day later at Fiorano, where both Leclerc and Hamilton will get their first taste of the new machine. Source: Ferrari
