Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna has confirmed that Lewis Hamilton will make his eagerly-anticipated arrival on the staff’s F1 base subsequent week.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton has joined Ferrari from rivals Mercedes within the greatest driver switch in F1 historical past.
The transfer despatched shockwaves across the paddock when it was introduced final February and the partnership of F1’s most well-known staff and the game’s most profitable driver has been an enormous speaking level over the previous 12 months.
Amid the hype and frenzy surrounding Hamilton’s first public look at Ferrari, reviews in Italian media have slated Monday 20 January because the day the 40-year-old Briton will first seem on the staff’s Maranello headquarters.
Hamilton is then anticipated to drive an older Ferrari automotive later within the week to assist together with his assimilation into his new staff.
Talking at a press convention in Milan presenting a partnership between Ferrari and UniCredit, Vigna wouldn’t be drawn on precise dates, however confirmed Hamilton’s Maranello debut would happen subsequent week.
“There may be quite a lot of pleasure, an incredible want to start,” Vigna mentioned. “Lewis shall be with us at Ferrari subsequent week. We’re getting ready the final issues.
“There may be quite a lot of expectation, we’re prepared for nearly every thing. We’ll be sure every thing is in place. Adjustments are at all times stunning.”
Chaos predicted at Maranello amid ‘Hamilton mania’
Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari as been tipped to trigger chaos on the streets on Maranello.
Italian journalist Roberto Chincero says a “Hamilton mania” has already begun within the nation forward of his arrival, which he believes would require a heavy police presence to handle giant crowds which are anticipated to assemble on the streets close to Ferrari’s headquarters.
“A sort of Hamilton mania has already began in Italy,” Chinchero instructed the James Allen on F1 podcast.
“Because the New Yr started, there’s a massive query mark that Italian Ferrari followers are attempting to reply – when will the primary take a look at of Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari automotive happen?
“I can’t think about the variety of folks that shall be across the monitor. I’m anticipating the Maranello and Fiorano streets shall be stuffed with individuals.
“I’m anticipating one thing that we haven’t seen in years. So it is going to be laborious work for the police in Maranello.
“However I’m not shocked. All of the nationwide media, not solely the sports activities media, are giving quite a lot of house to the person Lewis Hamilton.
“The mainstream is telling you who’s Lewis, his ardour and curiosity, the story of his profession and his want to finish this profession driving a Ferrari.”
