Hamilton: Driving Ferrari F1 Car For First Time 'One Of Best Feelings Of My Life'

Thursday, 23 January 2025 at 15:05

After his debut on-track session with Scuderia Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton stated that driving the red F1 car for the first time was one of the best feelings of his life.

After months of waiting and anticipation, F1 fans got to see Lewis Hamilton for the first time in the red overall during his first testing with Ferrari at Circuit Fiorano in Maranello

Although the weather wasn't perfect and the track was quite foggy, it was good enough for Hamilton to get out on the track at 9:17 AM local time.

The seven-time world champion first completed one installation lap on the wet tires, during which he greeted the fans. Then, he changed the compound and completed another 29 laps.

The 40-year-old completed 30 laps in total, which equals around 89 kilometres. After the session, he attended a debrief with engineers, and then he headed to the corner of the track next to Via Giardini.

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This is where hundreds of fans gathered to see and cheer the seven-time world champion on as he completed his first kilometers in the red F1 car.

The Ferrari driver stopped by to say hello and thank all the people who withstood the unfavorable weather for hours just to support him. Lewis Hamilton told the media about the Tifosi (passionate Ferrari fans).

"I already knew from the outside how passionate the Ferrari family is, from everyone in the team to the tifosi."

"But to now witness it first-hand 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."

Hamilton's closest family—his father, stepmother, and mother—were also present at the track in the garage. His old/new trainer, Angela Cullen, could also be spotted in the video shared by Ferrari, standing next to the 40-year-old's friend, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur.

The seven-time world champion suggested that driving out from the garage in the Ferrari F1 car for the first time was one of the best feelings he's had in his life:

"I've been lucky enough to have many firsts in my career, from the first test to the first race, podium, win, and championship, so I wasn't sure how many more firsts I had."

"But driving a Scuderia Ferrari 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 twenty years later, feeling those emotions all over again."