Hamilton in no doubt Ferrari switch was the right move

Lewis Hamilton has been left in little question that he has made the proper resolution to affix Ferrari.

The seven-time world champion was talking after his first drive in Ferrari’s challenger for 2025 at a shakedown run on the group’s check monitor in Fiorano.

Hamilton, who lit up the F1 75 livery launch in London’s O2 Area on Tuesday night, revealed he has tried to combine himself into the Italian group by residing in his motorhome, which is parked on the group’s Maranello manufacturing unit.

When requested if he thought he had made the proper transfer having pushed this season’s Ferrari, he mentioned: “100%. I haven’t got the slightest doubt or query in my head. I am in the proper place on the proper time and it is a terrific privilege to be right here, to affix this group and to work with everybody to attempt to construct and proceed the good historic custom of this group.

“Daily has been thrilling. Even final evening, strolling on that stage [at the F1 75 livery event] wearing purple was one thing completely new for me.

“To have the ability to meet and expertise the followers is one thing very completely different doing it as an opponent or doing it as a Ferrari driver.

“To start a journey along with them and the group is one thing that left me speechless.”

Hamilton’s wave of positivity comes after a winter of readjusting to life with the Italian group. The 40-year-old has been rejuvenated by the transfer and is now adjusting to the brand new problem.

When requested how completely different driving the Ferrari was to his previous Mercedes automobiles, he added: “Ferrari could be very completely different. From the second you placed on the swimsuit and enter the storage, placed on the helmet and enter the cockpit, you’re feeling that unbelievable ardour.

“It is all thrilling and thrilling. It has an unbelievable historical past with this group, and as a child it was a dream for me to have the ability to race for Ferrari, and I nonetheless pinch myself to have the ability to imagine that it is actually taking place. I’ve so many expectations.”

Hamilton had beforehand pushed a 2022 Ferrari at Fiorano in January earlier than taking a 2023 F1 automotive round Barcelona throughout a three-day personal check, where he also crashed.

Nonetheless, in his quick spell on the group he has mentioned he has seen sufficient to know they’ve “all of the elements to win”.

Hamilton mentioned: “From seeing the eagerness, every part underneath one roof, which I’ve by no means skilled earlier than, this group has completely each ingredient to win.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Photograph by: Getty Photos

“However we’re additionally conscious we have now to proceed to work. We’ve got to enhance and elevate all over the place – not all over the place however in sure areas, and I’ve little question that we are able to try this.

“I’ve genuinely beloved day by day I’ve been right here. It is a spot you genuinely do not actually wish to depart within the day. Every little thing’s right here. Even my motorhome is right here so I do not ever depart!”

Hamilton was joined by his team-mate Charles Leclerc, who mentioned the Brit was becoming a member of the group “on the proper time”.

He added: “Lewis becoming a member of the group has been a giant increase and has been superb in so many areas. I really feel just like the group could be very calm and clear in what’s the course to work in and never being affected by every part happening within the group.

“We had a superb automotive however it wanted extra efficiency, and that’s the place we centered on this automotive. We centered on small issues in each space.”

Hamilton was additionally requested about his new team-mate, who joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016. He mentioned: “Charles could be very embedded on this group. He’s very quick and I’m fully conscious of that.

“It’s not going to be simple to beat him, however we are going to work collectively and have some nice races, I hope.”