Driving a Ferrari one of the best feelings of my life

Lewis Hamilton has labelled his Ferrari Formulation 1 testing debut “probably the greatest emotions of my life” after finishing 30 laps at Fiorano.

Having spent two days getting in control together with his new workforce in Maranello, Hamilton boarded the 2023 Ferrari SF-23 on a chilly and foggy morning on the Scuderia’s personal take a look at observe for his first laps in a Ferrari F1 automotive.

Regardless of the poor climate, tons of of Italian followers lined the observe to witness Ferrari’s star signing finishing 30 laps in damp situations, each on Pirelli moist and slick demo tyres. The 40-year-old’s Ferrari debut remained trouble-free, aside from a couple of lock-ups within the chicane on a stone-cold and damp circuit.

After handing the Ferrari over to his new team-mate Charles Leclerc within the afternoon, Hamilton mentioned he was overjoyed by his first day in pink.

“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,” Hamilton mentioned. “However driving a Scuderia Ferrari automotive for the primary time this morning was probably the greatest emotions of my life.

“After I began the automotive up and drove by that storage door, I had the most important smile on my face. It jogged my memory of the very first time I examined a Formulation 1 automotive, it was such an thrilling and particular second, and right here I’m, nearly twenty years later, feeling these feelings over again.”

Hamilton went out of his strategy to greet the tifosi on the fringe of the observe after his take a look at run was accomplished, and mentioned he was “energised” by their famed ardour.

“I already knew from the skin how passionate the Ferrari household is, from everybody within the workforce to the tifosi,” the seven-time world champion mentioned. “However to now witness it first-hand as a Ferrari driver has been awe-inspiring.

“That zeal runs by their veins and you’ll’t assist however be energised by it. I’m so grateful for the love I’ve felt from everybody in Maranello this week, we now have lots of work to do however I can’t wait to get began.”

Within the afternoon Leclerc accomplished 14 laps because the Monegasque additionally received his 2025 marketing campaign below method.

The take a look at happened below the watchful eye of Ferrari vice chairman Piero Ferrari, with Hamilton’s mom additionally travelling to Fiorano for the event.