Lewis Hamilton has officially taken his first laps in Ferrari’s 2025 challenger, the SF-25, marking a significant milestone in his highly anticipated move to Maranello. The seven-time world champion hit the Fiorano circuit on Wednesday, getting his first real feel for the car he hopes will carry him to an eighth title.
His test came just one day after making his first public appearance as a Ferrari driver at the F1 75 launch event, where the team unveiled their 2025 livery alongside the rest of the grid. For nearly a year, fans have eagerly awaited the sight of Hamilton in Ferrari red, and their enthusiasm was evident as he received a rousing reception upon taking the stage.
Team principal Frédéric Vasseur described Hamilton as “emotional” during the event, acknowledging how deeply the move to Ferrari resonates with the British driver. Racing for the Scuderia has been a lifelong dream, and now, with his first test completed, that dream is quickly becoming reality.
Hamilton Begins Ferrari Era with First SF-25 Run at Fiorano
Wasting no time, Ferrari returned to Italy immediately after the launch, putting the SF-25 through its paces at Fiorano the next day. While Hamilton had already driven last year’s SF-23 during a private test in January, this was his first true experience behind the wheel of Ferrari’s latest machine.
Hamilton took to the track in the afternoon session after teammate Charles Leclerc ran in the morning. Leclerc’s session was briefly disrupted by a technical issue that brought his car to a stop, though Ferrari remained unconcerned as the outing was simply a shakedown designed to identify and resolve such problems before pre-season testing in Bahrain.
As with Hamilton’s initial visit to Maranello, thousands of Ferrari fans gathered at the circuit, lining the bridge and surrounding areas to catch a glimpse of their new superstar in action. The sheer level of excitement has been overwhelming, with the mayor of Maranello even declaring a state of emergency in January to help police manage the influx of supporters. Hamilton has fully embraced the passion of the Tifosi, showing his appreciation with a message on social media following the test. Writing in Italian, he kept it simple: “Grazie Tifosi.”
Hamilton Already Making an Impact at Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton’s arrival has already energized Ferrari, with former Scuderia driver Jean Alesi revealing that the team is thoroughly impressed by the Briton’s approach behind the scenes. His dedication and work ethic are leaving a mark, even before the season begins.
Another ex-driver of the Maranello team, Nigel Mansell, has also weighed in on Lewis Hamilton’s prospects, predicting a “monumental” season in 2025. The 1992 champion believes Ferrari is long overdue for a title, having last won the drivers’ championship in 2007 and the constructors’ crown in 2008. If Hamilton can break that drought, he will cement his place in Ferrari’s storied history.
With his time at Mercedes ending on a difficult note, Hamilton is determined to make his Ferrari stint a triumphant one. If the SF-25 proves to be a competitive package, he could once again find himself at the forefront of the title fight, ready to chase the record-breaking eighth championship that has eluded him for so long.
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