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Lewis Hamilton hailed his first drive in a Ferrari as “one of the greatest moments of my life,” marking the culmination of a lifelong ambition. The seven-time world champion, who turned 40 this month, completed 30 laps under foggy skies at Ferrari’s private Fiorano circuit in Italy, following his high-profile move from Mercedes. His two-year contract with Ferrari, reportedly exceeding £100 million, underscores the significance of this career shift.
Hamilton tested a 2023 Ferrari model, the most recent car permitted under testing regulations, and will proceed to Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya next week. Official pre-season testing begins in Bahrain on February 26. Reflecting on the milestone, Hamilton said, “I’ve experienced many ‘firsts’ –– debuts, podiums, championships — but driving a Ferrari today reignited the raw excitement I felt during my first F1 test in 2007. Starting the engine and leaving the garage brought back those unforgettable emotions.”
The British driver’s transition to Ferrari has been a whirlwind. After joining the team’s Maranello headquarters last week, he shared a photo on Instagram wearing Ferrari’s iconic red race suit, which amassed 1.5 million likes within an hour. He also debuted a yellow helmet, a nostalgic nod to his early career, asfervent Ferrari supporters gathered at Fiorano to witness his debut. His family, including father Anthony, who sacrificed extensively to fund Hamilton’s junior racing career, attended the emotional event.
Hamilton, now vying to become the first driver to secure an eighth world title, emphasized Ferrari’s unique culture: “I always admired the passion of the Tifosi and the team from afar, but experiencing it firsthand has been profoundlymotivating. Their energy is infectious, and I’m determined to repay their faith.”
His historic switch from Mercedes, after 12 seasons and six titles, positions his Ferrari race debut for March 16 in Melbourne. Before then, he and teammate Charles Leclerc will unveil Ferrari’s 2024 challenger on February 19 in Maranello, following the F1 season launch in London. Leclerc, who drove 14 laps after Hamilton’s session, praised the moment as “symbolic for the team,” adding, “Collaborating with Lewis is exciting, we’re ready to push for success.”
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