If you notice a strong police presence in Maranello at the end of this month, no, it is not the Pope arriving to bless Ferrari, it is just the day of Lewis Hamilton’s first start in a FerrariArray Formula 1
Ferrari’s Tifosi are expected to fill the streets of Maranello as Hamilton heads to the Fiorano circuit for his first outing with his new team.
After 12 years racing for Mercedes, leading to seven world titles and 105 Grand Prix victories, Hamilton swapped silver for red for the 2025 F1 championship after signing a multi-year deal with Ferrari.
It’s a story that’s already dominating the news cycle as pundits debate whether a record-breaking eighth world name awaits the 40-year-old. If Hamilton achieves this, he would surpass Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher’s record of seven.
The first step in this is his first outing in a Ferrari Formula 1 car.
This will take place later this month, in the week beginning January 20. Ferrari has still shown the exact date, as it will depend on the weather.
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But if you are looking for a sign, the Maranellois will give it to you the same day. This is stated by Italian journalist Roberto Chinchero, who believes that other people will parade through the streets to see the seven-time world champion.
“A kind of Hamilton mania has already started in Italy,” he told the James Allen on F1 podcast.
“Since the New Year began, there is a big question mark that Italian Ferrari fans are trying to answer – when will the first test of Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari car take place?
“I can’t believe how many people will be on the track. I hope that the streets of Maranello and Fiorano will be filled with people.
“I expect something that we have not noticed for years. The task will be complicated for the Maranello police.
“But I’m not surprised. All the national media, not just the sports media, give a lot of importance to the Lewis Hamilton guy. The general public tells you who Lewis is, his hobby and interest, the story of his career and his preference to finish this race behind the wheel of a Ferrari.
Chinchero isn’t the only one predicting Italy’s reaction to Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari with Emerson Fittipaldi claiming the country will come to a standstill on March 16 when Hamilton contests his debut race in red.
“Ferrari is back with a bang. You can believe in Lewis in Ferrari. All of Italy will prevent Lewis from driving a Ferrari on Sunday!” he told talkSPORT’s On Track podcast.
“Lewis’ motivation is that it is a challenge to have a new team like Ferrari. Every driver dreams of driving for Ferrari.
“And I think that at the stage of his life, to be able to go to Ferrari, with Frederic Vasseur, who was his team [principal] in Formula 3 and Formula 2. The family’s getting back together again and that’s going to be a big challenge.
“I’m thinking about next season, it’s going to be very exciting for Lewis and Formula 1 is becoming incredibly competitive now.
After his “woke up” test, in which Hamilton will likely drive the F1-75 or SF-23, Hamilton will race at the Circuit de Catalunya at the end of the month.
According to the Italian edition of Motorsport.com, Ferrari have booked a window of four days at the Barcelona circuit for late January, giving the team crucial flexibility to conduct two crucial days of on-track running.
Hamilton will then officially conduct Ferrari’s pre-season testing for the first time in Bahrain next month.
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