Lewis Hamilton has described his first experience of driving a Ferrari Formula 1 car as “one of the best feelings of my life”.
Hamilton got behind the wheel of the 2023 Ferrari F1 car on Wednesday at the Scuderia’s Fiorano test track in front of around 1500 fans, with his first laps caught by Sky Sports News’ cameras – and reporter Craig Slater.
The 40-year-old’s shock move to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari was announced 12 months ago and his maiden run in one of their iconic red cars had been eagerly anticipated since then.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have many firsts in my career, from the first test to the first race, podium, win and championship,” said Hamilton.
“I wasn’t sure how many more firsts I had but driving a Scuderia Ferrari HP car for the first time this morning, was one of the best feelings of my life.”
“When I started the car up and drove through that garage door, I had the biggest smile on my face. It reminded me of the very first time I tested a Formula 1 car, it was such an exciting and special moment, and here I am, almost 20 years later, feeling those emotions all over again.”
Fans erupt in cheers and chants as Lewis Hamilton arrives at the track for his first test session with Ferrari
What happened in Hamilton’s first Ferrari test?
Hamilton completed 30 laps (55 miles) of the Fiorano circuit, which is just over a quarter of a normal Grand Prix distance.
After an installation lap, watched by his family and senior figures at Ferrari including team principal Frederic Vasseur and vice president Piero Ferrari, Hamilton returned to the garage before doing some flying laps and practice starts to get used to the systems.
Hamilton was driving with a Ferrari engine behind him for the first time in F1, having exclusively used Mercedes power since his debut in 2007 at McLaren, before joining the German manufacturer’s own team in 2013.
Sky Sports News reporter Craig Slater was on the ground in Italy to get the latest reaction of the Tifosi as Lewis Hamilton had his first laps in a Ferrari
After his test in the morning, Hamilton went out to meet some of the Tifosi to thank them for coming out to see the historic moment.
“I already knew from the outside how passionate the Ferrari family is, from everyone in the team to the Tifosi!” he said.
“But to now witness it firsthand as a Ferrari driver has been awe-inspiring. That passion runs through their veins and you can’t help but be energised by it.
“I’m so grateful for the love I have felt from everyone in Maranello this week, we have a lot of work to do but I can’t wait to get started.”
Leclerc: Special moment for the team
All teams are still working flat-out on their new 2025 cars behind closed doors at their respective factories with just over a month to go until pre-season testing takes place in Bahrain on February 26-28, before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 16.
Using the same SF-23 car, Hamilton’s new team-mate, Charles Leclerc, ran a different programme in the afternoon and completed 14 laps on his first outing of 2025.
Take a look at what Lewis Hamilton got up to on his first day at Ferrari on Monday
“The first day back in the car is always a great feeling after the holidays. It’s good to be back on track, to see that so many fans came out to watch us,” said Leclerc.
“Feeling all this excitement surrounding the team is very motivating. It was a good day, even though it was raining a little bit when I was driving.
“Of course it was nice to be able to see Lewis driving his first laps in a Ferrari, which was a special moment for the team and for him. Now I’m looking forward to being back in the car next week and to really start working hard for the coming season.”
Frederic Vasseur gives his thoughts on the arrival of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari and whether there will be a period of acclimatising for the seven-time world champion
Team principal Vasseur added: “As is the case every year, the first time you go out on track is a bit like the first day back at school and quite an emotional feeling, especially today as it was Lewis’ first day as part of the team.
“Welcoming a new driver is always an important moment. Maybe today was less special for Charles, but it was good to see him fit, relaxed and keen to go racing again.
“As for the technical side, Charles and Lewis did their laps in not the best weather, but they got back in the swing of things and immersed themselves in the track environment prior to the first proper test in a month’s time in Bahrain. It was also a warm-up for the team in the garage. That was the sole purpose of today.”
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