Lewis Hamilton has realised a lifelong ambition by finishing his first laps as a Ferrari driver. The British seven-times world champion, who turned 40 earlier this month, took to the Italian group’s non-public take a look at circuit at Fiorano in foggy situations early on Wednesday morning.
Hamilton is testing a 2023 Ferrari – the most recent mannequin he’s allowed to make use of – and permitted to drive 1,000km (621 miles) underneath Method One’s guidelines. Following his take a look at at Fiorano, the previous Mercedes driver is about to finish additional miles at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya earlier than three-day pre-season testing begins in Bahrain on 26 February.
Hamilton has loved a whirlwind week on the Italian group’s Maranello headquarters after assembly up together with his new colleagues following his blockbuster transfer from the Brackley-based group.
He posted an image on his social media accounts wearing purple – a picture that attracted 1.5 million “likes” inside an hour of it being uploaded to Instagram.
Hamilton, who’s bidding to turn out to be the primary driver to win eight world titles, mentioned on Monday: “There are some days that you’ll bear in mind endlessly and at the moment, my first as a Ferrari driver, is a type of days.
“I’ve been fortunate sufficient to have achieved issues in my profession I by no means thought attainable however a part of me has at all times held on to that dream of racing in purple. I couldn’t be happier to grasp that dream at the moment.
“Immediately we begin a brand new period within the historical past of this iconic group, and I can’t wait to see what story we’ll write collectively.”
Hamilton makes the transfer to Ferrari after 12 seasons at Mercedes – a switch perceived to be the largest within the sport’s historical past – and his first race for his new group will likely be in Melbourne on 16 March. He is because of take the wraps off his automotive at Ferrari’s season launch alongside team-mate Charles Leclerc on 19 February in Maranello – a day after the F1 season launch occasion on the O2 Enviornment.
Hamilton ended his two-and-a-half 12 months winless streak on the British Grand Prix final July, however completed solely seventh on the planet championship, 214 factors behind Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen, following a disappointing last season with the group that carried him to 6 of his seven titles.
