Lewis Hamilton reveals emotional second that hit him previous to first Ferrari F1 run

February 17, 2025

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Lewis Hamilton Lastly Fulfills His Lifelong Dream of Racing for Ferrari

After years of hypothesis, Lewis Hamilton has formally achieved his lifelong ambition of changing into a Ferrari System 1 driver.

The seven-time world champion introduced his blockbuster transfer to the game’s most iconic workforce forward of the 2024 season—his last yr with Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton’s profitable contract, value £39 million yearly and doubtlessly rising to £83 million with bonuses, secures his place at Ferrari till 2026, with an choice for an extra yr.

With this transfer, Lewis Hamilton joins an elite membership, changing into solely the second seven-time champion to race for Ferrari, following within the footsteps of the legendary Michael Schumacher. As he prepares for the 2025 System 1 season, his aim stays unchanged—securing a historic eighth world title with the Scuderia.

Nonetheless, the problem forward is immense. At 40 years previous, Hamilton faces huge stress to ship outcomes, significantly after a disappointing last marketing campaign with Mercedes, the place he endured his worst-ever end within the drivers’ standings, putting seventh in 2024.

But, his arrival at Ferrari seems to have reignited his ardour for the game. Followers have noticed a visibly extra upbeat and motivated Hamilton as he familiarized himself with the Maranello workforce, greeting his new colleagues with enthusiasm at Ferrari’s headquarters.

The British driver’s swap to the Italian aspect is extensively considered probably the most important driver switch in F1 historical past. Anticipation is at an all-time excessive as followers and analysts eagerly await his aggressive debut in pink, following his preliminary testing classes with the workforce.

Lewis Hamilton Overcome with Emotion Earlier than First Ferrari Take a look at in Fiorano

Hamilton’s first on-track expertise with Ferrari occurred on the workforce’s non-public Fiorano circuit, the place he received behind the wheel of the SF-23. The milestone second was witnessed not solely by his household but in addition by hundreds of passionate Ferrari followers who gathered to catch a glimpse of their new star driver. The joy surrounding his maiden Ferrari outing was so intense that the mayor of Maranello declared a state of emergency to help police in managing the overwhelming site visitors congestion within the small Italian city.

In a behind-the-scenes video launched on Ferrari’s official YouTube channel, the British driver mirrored on the feelings he felt main as much as the take a look at. The Brit described how he had run across the Fiorano circuit the day earlier than, and as actuality set in, he was abruptly hit by waves of emotion, absolutely greedy the magnitude of his transfer to Ferrari. He expressed that he couldn’t consider it. He defined that he had run the observe the day past, finishing three laps within the morning, which amounted to six.2 miles. The British driver talked about how he had seen pictures of the observe earlier than, however when he was working in direction of the hairpin and regarded again, he was struck by the second, pondering, “Oh my God.” Lewis Hamilton described the feelings as hitting him in waves, acknowledging how a lot of a dream it was to be there and expertise it. He additionally shared how particular it was to have his mother and father current, together with his father and two moms, remarking that it had been an extended journey so far. He in contrast the second to feeling like the primary day of labor or the primary day of faculty.

How Lewis Hamilton Can Unlock a New Stage of Success at Ferrari

Since becoming a member of Ferrari, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has continued his adaptation to the workforce by collaborating in additional exams with Ferrari equipment, together with in Barcelona through the Testing of Earlier Vehicles (TPC) and Pirelli tire exams. Though Hamilton encountered a crash throughout one of many TPC runs, he remained optimistic and offered constructive suggestions following the session, signaling a promising begin regardless of the setback.

Hamilton now faces the appreciable problem of integrating himself into a very new atmosphere, with a brand new workforce, a brand new engine, and even a brand new language. Nonetheless, the 40-year-old driver has proven outstanding willpower in rapidly immersing himself in Ferrari’s tradition. He even made a degree to handle his colleagues in Italian throughout a current go to to the Maranello manufacturing unit, an effort that highlights his dedication to totally embracing the workforce’s ethos—a stark distinction to Michael Schumacher, who famously averted talking Italian throughout his time with Ferrari. This transfer underscores Hamilton’s motivation to make this chapter of his illustrious profession at Ferrari a profitable one.

Competing in opposition to Charles Leclerc will undoubtedly current a formidable problem, given the Monégasque driver’s deep familiarity with Ferrari and its operations. Nonetheless, these near Hamilton consider he has the potential to succeed in new heights if Ferrari can present him with a aggressive automotive able to successful races.

Ferrari’s administration has expressed their expectation that Hamilton would be the workforce’s primary driver for the 2025 System 1 marketing campaign. If Lewis Hamilton can discover his rhythm within the SF-25 and the workforce offers him with a automotive that fits his driving type, he can be a severe contender to problem Max Verstappen for the championship, making him a key determine within the 2025 title battle.