Lewis Hamilton took Ferrari’s 2025 System 1 automotive for its first spin on Wednesday, marking the start of what guarantees to be a historic chapter in each his profession and the game’s historical past. The SF-25, which is already being hailed as a milestone machine, will undoubtedly be remembered for generations to return, no matter whether or not it meets the lofty expectations surrounding Hamilton’s high-profile switch to the Maranello staff.
Earlier than Hamilton’s inaugural drive, Charles Leclerc was first to take the wheel on the Fiorano check monitor, situated close to Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello. The scene was harking back to Hamilton’s first outing in January, when he examined the 2023 automotive, as hundreds of followers turned out to witness the historic second.
This week has been particularly emotional for Hamilton, who obtained an amazing reception throughout the F1 75 season launch occasion on the O2 Area on Tuesday. Group principal Fred Vasseur revealed that the seven-time world champion was visibly moved by the event, the place he was greeted with the loudest cheer of the night time as he walked onto the stage alongside Leclerc and Vasseur.
Whereas there have been some stories of Leclerc stopping on monitor within the new automotive, Ferrari has insisted that every thing ran easily. The true check for the SF-25 will are available lower than every week on the Bahrain pre-season testing, the place each drivers shall be higher positioned to evaluate the automotive’s efficiency, with lap occasions being publicly revealed. The shakedown session, nonetheless, was primarily centered on resolving technical points relatively than testing general velocity.
Within the meantime, Hamilton has already began to make a long-lasting impression at Ferrari. Having reunited together with his long-time coach Angela Cullen, Hamilton can be working intently with Loic Serra, the previous Mercedes engineer now accountable for his chassis. Moreover, Jerome D’Ambrosio, the previous Mercedes academy head who now serves as Ferrari’s deputy to Vasseur, spoke with admiration about Hamilton’s efforts to attach together with his new colleagues. On his very first day, Hamilton made it some extent to personally meet and shake arms with almost each member of Ferrari’s 1,500-strong workforce—an “superb” gesture that rapidly gained him the love of the staff.
Hamilton’s immersion into the Ferrari tradition has prolonged past the manufacturing unit ground. He has been dwelling in a motorhome on the Maranello facility and has been inviting his engineers to hitch him for lunch as he fosters bonds together with his new staff. His efforts to combine himself each on and off the monitor are already making a major impression, because the Ferrari staff eagerly anticipates the 2025 season with their new star driver.
Jerome D’Ambrosio talked about that Hamilton was fairly outstanding with folks and that the staff had already developed a powerful affection for him after simply the primary day.
The British driver admitted that he nonetheless finds it surreal to be a Ferrari driver, a dream he has held all through his complete profession. Nonetheless, he is aware of that in some unspecified time in the future, the preliminary pleasure should fade. As he pursues a record-breaking eighth world championship, he understands the necessity to stay centered and never let feelings cloud his efficiency.
The reception Hamilton obtained at Maranello left him ‘blown away,’ and he expressed his appreciation for the fervour that radiates inside the Ferrari manufacturing unit. This enthusiasm is one thing he deeply enjoys and cherishes.
Jerome D’Ambrosio’s feedback align with these made by former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi, who famous that Hamilton has made a long-lasting impression on everybody together with his perspective. This constructive response is bound to be a supply of satisfaction for Ferrari’s chairman, John Elkann, notably given the numerous funding the staff has made in bringing the seven-time world champion on board.
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