Lewis Hamilton says the fervour that exists round Ferrari was “awe-inspiring” to expertise after finishing his first take a look at for the workforce at Fiorano on Wednesday.
The seven-time world champion logged 30 laps of the Ferrari take a look at 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 some of the particular moments of his profession, and the expertise has left him hungry to start racing for the workforce.
“I’ve been fortunate sufficient to have many firsts in my profession, from the primary take a look at to the primary race, podium, win and championship, so I wasn’t positive what number of extra firsts I had, however driving a Scuderia Ferrari HP automobile for the primary time this morning was among the best emotions of my life,” Hamilton mentioned.
“Once I began the automobile up and drove by way of that storage door, I had the most important 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 once more.
“I already knew from the skin how passionate the Ferrari household is, from everybody within the workforce to the Tifosi. However to now witness it firsthand as a Ferrari driver has been awe-inspiring. That keenness runs by way of their veins and you’ll’t assist however be energized by it. I’m so grateful for the love I’ve felt from everybody in Maranello this week, we’ve got a whole lot of work to do however I can’t wait to get began.”
Hamilton’s run was adopted by 14 laps in damp situations for Charles Leclerc – Ferrari utilizing up a mixed 131km of its most 1000km of race driver operating for the yr – because the Monegasque started his 2025 schedule.
“The primary day again within the automobile is all the time an ideal 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 workforce may be very motivating. It was day, although it was raining a little bit bit once 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 workforce and for him. Now I’m trying ahead to being again within the automobile subsequent week and to essentially begin working onerous for the approaching season.”
Group principal Fred Vasseur agreed it was a major event for the 2 drivers, however burdened the significance of the operating from an operational standpoint as Hamilton started work along 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 workforce,” Vasseur mentioned. “Welcoming a brand new driver is all the time an necessary second. Possibly right this moment was much less particular for Charles, however 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 obtained again within the swing of issues and immersed themselves within the monitor setting previous to the primary correct take a look at in a month’s time in Bahrain. It was additionally a warm-up for the workforce within the storage. That was the only objective of right this moment.”
