Lewis Hamilton drove a Ferrari Formula One car for the first time on Wednesday after the seven-time world champion took to the team’s test track and admitted it was “one of the best feelings” of his life. The 40-year-old Briton shocked the paddock in February last year when he announced that after 12 highly successful years at Mercedes he was leaving to join the iconic Italian team. On a foggy morning at the Fiorano test track near Ferrari’s Maranello base in northern Italy, Hamilton took to the test car wearing a classic red jumpsuit and distinctive yellow helmet.
“I’ve been fortunate to have had a lot of firsts in my career, from the first test to the first race, the podium, the win and the championship, so I wasn’t sure how many more firsts I had,” Hamilton said.
“But driving a Ferrari for the first time this morning was one of the best feelings of my life.”
Groups of passionate Ferrari fans, whom Hamilton described as “awe-inspiring”, watched in wet weather from a bridge overlooking the track as Hamilton raced around the circuit.
Fans are hoping Hamilton can end an 18-year wait for the Formula One drivers’ title, which has been dominated by Mercedes and Red Bull.
Hamilton has won just two Grands Prix – his victory at the British Grand Prix in July ending a two-and-a-half year winless streak – and finished seventh in the 2024 World Championship, a mammoth 214 points behind title holder Max Verstappen.
“When I started the car and drove through the garage door, I had the biggest smile on my face,” Hamilton added.
“It reminded me of the first time I tested a Formula 1 car, it was such an exciting and special moment, and now, almost 20 years later, I feel those emotions again.”
Hamilton is due to unveil his 2025 car at Ferrari’s season opener alongside teammate Charles Leclerc on February 19 in Maranello, followed by testing in Bahrain next week.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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