Lewis Hamilton Begins New Chapter with Ferrari

January 20, 2025

Lewis Hamilton has officially begun his journey with Ferrari. On his first day at the team's headquarters in Maranello, the seven-time World Champion expressed his excitement at joining the iconic team. Hamilton posted on social media, saying, "There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days."

The 40-year-old Brit, who made a surprising move from Mercedes to Ferrari after a stellar career with his former team, began his immersion into Ferrari's culture with a comprehensive day of meetings and tours. He was introduced to key figures such as Team Principal Frederic Vasseur, CEO Benedetto Vigna, and Vice-Chairman Piero Ferrari. Hamilton was also shown around Ferrari’s legendary Fiorano test track, where he took in the view from the famed office of Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the team.

For Hamilton, racing for Ferrari has long been a dream. "I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. I couldn’t be happier to realise that dream today," he said. His arrival marks the start of a new chapter not only for him but for the team as well, with Hamilton eager to see what they can achieve together.

As part of his preparation for the upcoming season, Hamilton is expected to take the wheel of a 2023 Ferrari F1 car at Fiorano later this week. Due to F1's strict testing regulations, he will only be able to drive older cars, but he’s already gearing up for the challenge ahead. Team Principal Vasseur has expressed confidence in Hamilton’s ability to adapt quickly, noting, "It is not easy but he is coming with his own experience. But he is not the rookie of the year, I am not worried at all about this."

Hamilton's shift to Ferrari also presents a significant change in his racing experience. This will be the first time in his 18-year career that he drives a car not powered by a Mercedes engine, and he’ll need to adjust to new technical challenges. Despite this, he remains positive, calling the transition "a new era" for both himself and Ferrari.

In addition to his test runs at Fiorano, Hamilton is also expected to visit Ferrari's simulator and take part in further technical briefings to get up to speed. The first opportunity for real testing will come at Bahrain in late February during F1’s pre-season testing, where he will share track time with teammate Charles Leclerc.

Ferrari's preparations are already underway for the 2025 season, with a key milestone coming on February 19th when the new Ferrari F1 car is unveiled at Fiorano. Prior to that, Hamilton and Ferrari will appear at the official F1 launch event in London on February 18th.

Ferrari's management is fully invested in helping Hamilton integrate into the team. In addition to technical support, the team has arranged for Hamilton to have a base in Italy, facilitating his transition into the Ferrari family.

Despite the challenges ahead, Hamilton is clearly excited about his future with Ferrari. "I’m incredibly grateful to John Elkann, Benedetto Vigna, Fred Vasseur and everyone at Ferrari for their trust in me and making me part of this family," he said. With a promising future ahead, Hamilton is ready to create his next chapter with the Scuderia.