This morning, Lewis Hamilton was at the Ferrari Racing Department to prepare for his on-track debut scheduled for Wednesday, the 22nd, at Fiorano with the F1-75, the 2022 single-seater. An unusual atmosphere of expectation was palpable throughout the Ferrari factory, as the arrival of the seven-time world champion in Maranello generated immense excitement. Both within the Ferrari headquarters and beyond, the curiosity surrounding the Englishman’s debut has reached unprecedented levels in recent years. Hotel rooms around Fiorano are fully booked, with overflow extending beyond Sassuolo and all the way to Modena.
Luigi Zironi, the mayor of Maranello, has sought help from neighboring municipalities to bolster security and ensure smooth traffic on what promises to be a very special day for the region.
Lewis Hamilton arrived early this morning at the Ferrari Racing Department headquarters for a preparatory “getting to know you” day. After meeting the key personnel who will support him in this Ferrari venture, particularly Riccardo Adami, who will serve as his race engineer, he had his seat fitting done. The Ferrari staff quickly observed his meticulous attention to detail in crafting the carbon fiber “cradle” designed to provide optimal ergonomics within the red cars he will drive in the coming days.
Shortly afterward, the former Mercedes driver inspected the steering wheel-computer to confirm whether the customization of certain controls he requested met his expectations. He didn’t demand a new wheel but had the functions of certain knobs and buttons adjusted, keeping the Ferrari design that already differed between Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Lewis was then taken to the facility adjacent to the Fiorano track, where the Dynisma simulator is located—a far more advanced system than the one he was accustomed to in Brackley. Hamilton had his first interaction with the simulator, testing the steering wheel and suggesting minor adjustments. There was also time for his first photos in Ferrari red, but the real work will begin tomorrow, as he familiarizes himself with the procedures Ferrari has developed to maximize performance from their cars and begins to learn about the single-seater he will drive on the Maranello team’s home track on Wednesday.
The British super champion will undergo the “Fiorano rite,” immediately discovering what it means to become a Ferrari driver. On Wednesday, he will share the red car with Charles Leclerc, who will begin his training session. The two will aim to collaborate. There will be time for rivalries on the track later…
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