Lewis Hamilton is ready to drive Ferrari’s 2025 Components 1 automobile for the primary time subsequent week, with a shakedown scheduled for 19 February on the Fiorano check monitor. The event will mark a significant milestone in his journey with the Scuderia as he will get behind the wheel of the crimson machine.
Nonetheless, the temper at Ferrari is considerably combined in regards to the upcoming launch of the F175 in London. The crew is annoyed by the necessity to fly to the occasion, particularly as their UK-based rivals will solely must make a brief journey. Regardless of the logistics, all eyes can be on Hamilton, who is anticipated to be the primary attraction as he makes his first official look as a Ferrari driver. Though 1000’s of followers have been current for his first check final month, that occasion was supposed to be non-public. Staff principal Fred Vasseur has labored arduous to maintain the media frenzy round Hamilton’s signing in test.
Following his first outing with Ferrari within the 2023 automobile, Lewis Hamilton traveled to Barcelona, the place a crash on the second day disrupted Ferrari’s testing plan. Whereas the crew downplayed the importance of the incident, it did forged a shadow over the proceedings. Nonetheless, he additionally took half in a Pirelli tyre check in a modified SF-24 on the similar circuit, which reportedly went with none main points.
Essentially the most essential second in Lewis Hamilton’s pre-season preparation would be the official check in Bahrain, which is simply over two weeks away. Off the monitor, Lewis Hamilton has been making efforts to combine along with his new colleagues and inspire the crew as he settles into his function on the Italian facet.
At Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters, Hamilton made a big gesture that has already been well-received by the crew. Showing on stage with Fred Vasseur and teammate Charles Leclerc, Hamilton addressed the workers in Italian, thanking them for his or her heat welcome and expressing his pleasure about driving for Ferrari—a dream he has lengthy harbored. Though Lewis Hamilton needed to learn from his telephone, Ferrari staff appreciated his effort to study the language and immerse himself in his new environment. This gesture went a good distance in gaining the help of the crew, with the gang giving him the warmest reception. Whereas Leclerc is already fluent in Italian, Lewis Hamilton will little doubt proceed to work on his language expertise as he settles into life on the Maranello crew.
Lewis Hamilton’s efforts are already being in comparison with these of Michael Schumacher, who, regardless of a legendary profession at Ferrari, by no means made the hassle to talk Italian throughout his time with the crew. In distinction, Hamilton has made it clear that his need to win stays as sturdy as ever, and he’s dedicated to pushing for a world championship with Ferrari. Former F1 driver Jaime Alguersuari has advised that Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari is about extra than simply profitable—it’s additionally about having fun with his time with the crew earlier than retirement. Nonetheless, regardless of this, it’s clear the British driver wouldn’t have made the change if he didn’t imagine he may nonetheless problem for an eighth world title.
Along with his Italian efforts already going additional than Michael Schumacher’s, Lewis Hamilton has set a robust basis in his quest to endear himself to Ferrari and show that he’s not simply there for enjoyable, however to win and add to his legendary profession.