‘First day at Ferrari is the beginning of a new era’, says Lewis Hamilton
“I have been fortunate enough to achieve things in my career that I never thought possible, but a part of me has always cherished the dream of running in red. Today, realizing that dream makes me more than There cannot be happiness.
“Today we begin a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we write together.”
Hamilton will spend his first day meeting key people and getting to know the factory and the team.
Ferrari said he, along with team owner Frédéric Vasseur and chief executive Benedetto Vigna, were “given a tour of the Fiorano house and the pit garage, including a view of the famous office from which (founder) Enzo Ferrari led his team. Used to watch while working.
The statement said: “Hamilton then returned to Scuderia headquarters, where he met the management team and (Vice President) Piero Ferrari, visiting all the different departments to get to know the team, before embarking on a one-day full immersion programme.
“Work will continue tomorrow with more technical meetings and briefings as preparations get underway for a very busy season.”
The Briton is expected to drive the 2023 F1 car at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track at the weekend, and complete a further few days in it in Barcelona ahead of the 2025 Ferrari’s launch on February 19. He is also likely to try out the 2025 car in the team’s simulator.
The 2023 car is Hamilton’s latest car to be allowed to run under F1’s testing restrictions.
Among the differences he will have to adapt to is that it will be the first time in Hamilton’s 18-year F1 career that he has driven a car that does not use a Mercedes engine.
Official F1 pre-season testing will take place in Bahrain on 26-28 February, where Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc will share the three days of racing equally.
Team principal Frederic Vasseur has said Hamilton faces a “challenge” to accelerate in the short time available before the start of the season in Australia from March 14-16.
Vasseur said at Ferrari’s Christmas lunch last month: “It is not easy but he is coming with his experience. But he is not the rookie of the year, I am not worried about that at all.”
Hamilton will receive accommodation in Italy to help him join Ferrari, which is considered the national team.
Hamilton and Ferrari will appear with the other teams at the official F1 launch at London’s O2 Arena on 18 February, before returning to Italy for the unveiling of Ferrari’s new car the following day.
