Lewis Hamilton pictured in Ferrari for first time after completing Fiorano test laps in front of fans
Lewis Hamilton has driven his first lap in a Ferrari car, as he begins life with his new team.
The 40-year-old was at the Ferrari factory in Maranello on Monday as he was given a tour by team principal Frederic Vasseur and Benedetto Vigna, the Ferrari chief executive officer.
After 12 seasons at Mercedes, Hamilton must now get up to speed at Ferrari and that has started with work on the team’s Fiorano test track.
Formula One testing restrictions mean that the 2023 car is the most recent Hamilton is able to drive and he got to work in cold, foggy conditions on Wednesday morning. He is permitted to drive a maximum of 621 miles.
More than 1,000 fans gathered to catch a first glimpse of Hamilton in the Ferrari, with the Briton displaying his new yellow helmet. His parents were also in attendance at Fiorano.
The 2025 Ferrari will be unveiled on February 19, a day after the official F1 launch at London's O2 Arena, when Hamilton will conduct his first media commitments as a Ferrari driver.
Three days of testing in Bahrain get underway a week later, though Hamilton is expected to complete more laps at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya before then. The serious business starts with the first race of the season in Australia on March 16.
Hamilton took to Instagram earlier this week to reflect on the start of his “dream” at Ferrari.
"There are some days that you know you'll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days," Hamilton wrote.
"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.
"Today we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can't wait to see what story we will write together."
