Lewis Hamilton stated he “couldn’t be happier” to have realised his dream of changing into a Ferrari driver as he formally started work with the Italian staff on Monday.
Hamilton marked his first day on the well-known Prancing Horse’s Maranello manufacturing facility with a social media submit expressing his delight at attaining a career-long “dream”.
The seven-time world champion shocked the sporting world final February by deciding to go away Mercedes after 12 years to signal for Ferrari for the 2025 season within the sport’s highest-profile switch of all time.
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Hamilton wrote on Instagram: “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days.
“I have been fortunate sufficient to have achieved issues in my profession I by no means thought attainable, however a part of me has at all times held on to that dream of racing in pink. I could not be happier to understand that dream right now.
“Today we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together.”
Hamilton is about to drive a Ferrari F1 automotive for the primary time later this week, with the Brit anticipated to get some testing time of their 2023 automotive round on the Fiorano circuit, which is adjoining to the staff’s manufacturing facility.
The blockbuster Hamilton-Ferrari transfer has united F1’s most-successful driver in historical past with the most-successful staff.
Hamilton, who turned 40 earlier this month, has gained a report 105 races and a joint-best seven world championships, whereas Ferrari prepared the ground on the all-time tables for each drivers’ (15) and constructors’ title (16) triumphs.
However the Scuderia haven’t gained any title since 2008, though a robust finish to final season noticed them end inside 14 factors of recent constructors’ champions McLaren in second place.
Ferrari have opted towards unveiling Hamilton with an official press convention, as a substitute ready till F1’s official 2025 season launch on February 18, which can be adopted by the staff’s personal media occasion a day later.
Hamilton’s first day at Ferrari in pictures
Hamilton with Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna and F1 staff principal Frederic Vasseur
Hamilton talking to Ferrari chair John Elkann
Lewis Hamilton met members of the Ferrari F1 staff on his tour of the manufacturing facility at Maranello (All pictures credit score: @Scuderia Ferrari)
Hamilton set for ‘whole immersion programme’
Shortly after Hamilton’s submit on social media, Ferrari supplied extra element on how the Brit had spent his first day in Maranello.
A staff assertion stated: “Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari adventure is now under way. Early this morning, the seven-time world champion arrived at the team’s Maranello headquarters at via Enzo Ferrari 27.
“From there he went to the Fiorano observe the place, towards the backdrop of Enzo Ferrari’s home, within the small sq. now named after the one different seven-time Components 1 world champion, Michael Schumacher, he was met by staff principal, Fred Vasseur and Ferrari chief govt, Benedetto Vigna.
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“The traditional “first day” photos were taken there and even the weather helped to make Lewis feel at home, with some typically British overcast skies and drizzle. Also on hand was a Ferrari F40, Lewis’ favourite supercar.
“Subsequent on Lewis’ agenda was a brief go to to the Fiorano home and the pit storage, with Vasseur and Vigna, together with a take a look at the well-known workplace, from the place Enzo Ferrari would watch his staff at work. Hamilton then returned to the Scuderia HQ, the place he met the administration staff and Piero Ferrari, earlier than embarking on a daylong whole immersion programme, visiting all the assorted departments to get to know the staff.
“The work continues tomorrow with more technical meetings and briefings as preparations get under way for what will be a very busy season.”
Watch all 24 race weekends from the 2025 Components 1 season stay on Sky Sports activities F1, beginning with the Australian GP on March 14-16. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
