January 20, (THEWILL) – Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton marked his first official day at Ferrari on Monday, visiting the Italian team’s headquarters in Maranello. The 40-year-old British racing legend attended his initial seat fitting and completed simulator work, marking the beginning of his tenure with the prestigious racing organisation.
Hamilton, who spent more than a decade at Mercedes and earned six world championships with the team, shared his excitement on Instagram, stating: “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days.” The British driver further noted his long-held ambition to race for the Italian manufacturer, adding: “I have been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red.”
The transition comes following Hamilton’s challenging 2024 season at Mercedes, where he finished seventh in the championship standings. His move to Ferrari pairs him with Charles Leclerc, creating what many consider one of the strongest driver partnerships on the grid. Ferrari, which has not claimed a driver’s championship since 2007, anticipates Hamilton’s experience will contribute significantly to their title pursuit.
Weather conditions have postponed Hamilton’s first track experience in a Ferrari until Wednesday at the Fiorano test circuit. The official Formula 1 testing programme commences in Bahrain from February 26-28, providing Hamilton additional opportunities to familiarise himself with his new machinery before the season begins.
The 2025 Formula 1 season opens with the Australian Grand Prix, scheduled for March 14-16. This significant transfer has resulted in Carlos Sainz moving to Williams, establishing fresh dynamics across multiple teams for the upcoming championship battle.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
