Lewis Hamilton took Ferrari’s 2025 Method 1 automobile 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 come back, no matter whether or not it meets the lofty expectations surrounding Hamilton’s high-profile switch to the Maranello workforce.
Earlier than Hamilton’s inaugural drive, Charles Leclerc was first to take the wheel on the Fiorano check observe, situated close to Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello. The scene was paying homage to Hamilton’s first outing in January, when he examined the 2023 automobile, as hundreds of followers turned out to witness the historic second.
This week has been particularly emotional for Hamilton, who obtained an awesome 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 reviews of Leclerc stopping on observe within the new automobile, Ferrari has insisted that every thing ran easily. The true check for the SF-25 will are available in lower than every week on the Bahrain pre-season testing, the place each drivers will likely be higher positioned to evaluate the automobile’s efficiency, with lap instances being publicly revealed. The shakedown session, nevertheless, was primarily targeted on resolving technical points quite than testing general pace.
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 also be working intently with Loic Serra, the previous Mercedes engineer now chargeable 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 fingers with almost each member of Ferrari’s 1,500-strong workforce—an “wonderful” gesture that rapidly gained him the love of the workforce.
Hamilton’s immersion into the Ferrari tradition has prolonged past the manufacturing unit ground. He has been residing in a motorhome on the Maranello facility and has been inviting his engineers to affix him for lunch as he fosters bonds together with his new workforce. His efforts to combine himself each on and off the observe are already making a major affect, because the Ferrari workforce eagerly anticipates the 2025 season with their new star driver.
Jerome D’Ambrosio talked about that Hamilton was fairly exceptional with folks and that the workforce had already developed a robust 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 whole profession. Nevertheless, 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 targeted and never let feelings cloud his efficiency.
The reception Hamilton obtained at Maranello left him ‘blown away,’ and he expressed his appreciation for the eagerness 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 angle. This constructive response is bound to be a supply of pleasure for Ferrari’s chairman, John Elkann, notably given the numerous funding the workforce has made in bringing the seven-time world champion on board.
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