Lewis Hamilton’s era at Ferrari officially began when the seven-time world champion visited the Scuderia’s factory in Maranello on Monday, January 20.
It’s been at least a year since Hamilton announced he would be leaving Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season, ending what has been the longest and most successful driver-team partnership in Formula 1 history.
Feeling that the time was right for one more bold move before hanging up his racing helmet for good, Hamilton decided to don the legendary Ferrari red in the 2025 season—a move he once described as a “childhood dream.”
He steps into Carlos Sainz’s seat and partners with Charles Leclerc, forming a strong driver duo as he aims for an eighth world championship and the Scuderia’s first constructors’ title in 16 years.
While enthusiasts will have to wait until March to see Hamilton race for Ferrari for the first time, the F1 icon will be busy with various pre-season activities in Maranello, starting with his first visit to the factory.
On Monday, Hamilton arrived at the Scuderia Ferrari headquarters, passing by Enzo Ferrari 27, before heading to the Fiorano track. There he received through the team director, Fred Vasseur, and the Ferrari CEO, Benedetto Vigna.
The weather suited the British flavor perfectly, with a typical British cloudy sky accompanied by a gentle drizzle. Dressed in an all-black suit, Hamilton posed for the classic “day one” photo alongside his favorite supercar, the iconic F40.
His excursion included a tour of the Fiorano space and garage, where Vasseur and Vigna guided him through what once belonged to the late Enzo Ferrari, giving him an insight into how the mythical founder oversaw his team’s paintings.
Hamilton then returned to headquarters to meet with the team principal and Piero Ferrari, vice president and son of Enzo Ferrari. He then continues his “immersion program,” exploring other departments to familiarize himself with the Ferrari team.
The Maranello squad confirmed that Hamilton’s activities would carry on the next day with additional technical meetings and briefings.
After making his first appearance for the Scuderia, Hamilton shared a photo of himself on social media outside the Ferrari building, which had seven windows and a single door. This may have simply been a sophisticated nod to his seven world championships and the “gate” that could lead to an eighth.
“There are sure days that you won’t forget and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days,” Hamilton wrote in the caption of his Instagram post.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things during my career that I never imagined possible, but a part of me has held on to this dream of running in red. I couldn’t be happier to make this dream come true today.
“Today we begin a new era in the history of this iconic team and I can’t wait to see what history we will write together. “
After celebrating his 40th birthday in January, Lewis Hamilton will drive a Ferrari F1 for the first time later this week, with plans for his 2023 livery at the Fiorano circuit.
He will then don this iconic red suit at the F1 season launch on February 18, followed by a return to Italy for his own media event the following day.
Pre-season starts on February 26 in Bahrain and leads to the first race of the 2025 calendar on March 16 in Melbourne, Australia.
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