Lewis Hamilton has described his first Ferrari test as “one of the best feelings of my life”, which reminded him of his first test of a Formula 1 car twenty years ago.
Hamilton drove a Ferrari SF-23 at Fiorano on Wednesday, completing 30 laps of the Ferrari test track in three races before handing over to his 2025 teammate Charles Leclerc.
This run started at 9:16 a.m. in wet conditions, but Hamilton’s final runs were run on slick tires – Pirelli’s “Academy” rubbers – and included practice starts as he acclimatized to the cockpit of Ferrari.
His race was observed by team principal Fred Vasseur and his deputy Jérôme d’Ambrosio, as well as Ferrari vice-president Piero Ferrari.
“I’ve been fortunate to achieve many firsts in my career, from the first test to the first race, to the podium, to the victory and the championship. So I didn’t know how many firsts I still had, but I drove a Ferrari for the first time this morning, it was one of the best feelings of my life,” Hamilton said.
“When I started the car and walked through the 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 a such an exciting and special moment, and there I And almost 20 years later, I feel these emotions again.”
The test was witnessed by a number of fans, who gathered early on a viaduct overlooking Fiorano to watch Hamilton’s Ferrari debut despite the wet and foggy conditions that greeted them.
They were rewarded after Hamilton’s post-session debriefing with a visit from the seven-time F1 champion to thank them for their oversight.
“I already knew from the outside how passionate the Ferrari family is, from everyone on the team to the fans! But to now witness it as a Ferrari driver has been impressive,” Hamilton added.
“This passion runs through their veins and you can’t help but be energized by it.
“I’m so grateful for the love I felt from everyone in Maranello this week. We have a lot of work to do but I can’t wait to get started.”
