Lewis Hamilton says the fervour that exists round Ferrari was “awe-inspiring” to expertise after finishing his first check for the crew at Fiorano on Wednesday.
The seven-time world champion logged 30 laps of the Ferrari check monitor in Maranello, watched by crowds of followers who had gathered to attempt to acquire a view of the circuit. Hamilton stated driving a Ferrari Formulation 1 automobile for the primary time was some of the particular moments of his profession, and the expertise has left him hungry to start racing for the crew.
“I’ve been fortunate sufficient to have many firsts in my profession, from the primary check to the primary race, podium, win and championship, so I wasn’t certain what number of extra firsts I had, however driving a Scuderia Ferrari HP automobile for the primary time this morning was top-of-the-line emotions of my life,” Hamilton stated.
“After I began the automobile up and drove by that storage door, I had the largest smile on my face. It jogged my memory of the very first time I examined a Formulation 1 automobile. It was such an thrilling and particular second, and right here I’m, nearly 20 years later, feeling these feelings over again.
“I already knew from the surface how passionate the Ferrari household is, from everybody within the crew to the Tifosi. However to now witness it firsthand as a Ferrari driver has been awe-inspiring. That keenness runs by their veins and you may’t assist however be energized by it. I’m so grateful for the love I’ve felt from everybody in Maranello this week, we have now plenty of work to do however I can’t wait to get began.”
Hamilton’s run was adopted by 14 laps in damp circumstances for Charles Leclerc – Ferrari utilizing up a mixed 131km of its most 1000km of race driver working for the 12 months – because the Monegasque started his 2025 schedule.
“The primary day again within the automobile is all the time an awesome feeling after the vacations,” Leclerc stated. “It’s good to be again on monitor, to see that so many followers got here out to observe us. Feeling all this pleasure surrounding the crew could be very motivating. It was a great day, regardless that it was raining somewhat bit after I was driving.
“In fact it was good to have the ability to see Lewis driving his first laps in a Ferrari, which was a particular second for the crew and for him. Now I’m wanting ahead to being again within the automobile subsequent week and to actually begin working laborious for the approaching season.”
Crew principal Fred Vasseur agreed it was a major event for the 2 drivers, however harassed the significance of the working from an operational viewpoint as Hamilton started work along with his new race engineer Riccardo Adami.
“As is the case yearly, the primary time you exit on monitor is a bit like the primary day again in school and fairly an emotional feeling, particularly at this time because it was Lewis’ first day as a part of the crew,” Vasseur stated. “Welcoming a brand new driver is all the time an necessary second. Perhaps at this time was much less particular for Charles, but it surely was good to see him match, relaxed and eager to go racing once more.
“As for the technical facet, Charles and Lewis did their laps in not the very best climate, however they bought again within the swing of issues and immersed themselves within the monitor surroundings previous to the primary correct check in a month’s time in Bahrain. It was additionally a warm-up for the crew within the storage. That was the only real function of at this time.”
