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Lewis Hamilton Takes the Wheel at Ferrari’s Fiorano Test Track
Lewis Hamilton has officially begun his journey with Ferrari by participating in his inaugural track session in a 2023 F1 car. The historic event took place at the Ferrari test track in Fiorano, Italy, under foggy conditions on a Wednesday morning.
As the clock struck 9 AM local time, the seven-time world champion made his debut in the SF-23 while a throng of passionate Ferrari fans, known as tifosi, eagerly gathered to witness the momentous occasion.
Dressed in Ferrari’s striking red overalls and a vivid yellow helmet, Hamilton commenced his filming day on Pirelli’s wet demo tires. His primary focus was to perform various systems checks. Throughout the day, he was joined by fellow Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc as the team documented Hamilton’s first day behind the wheel.
This week has been significant for Hamilton, who dedicated time to connect with his new team. He explored the iconic mansion of Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari on Monday, where he posed for photos with an unmistakable fashion flair, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career.
Hamilton utilized this opportunity to meet with key figures within the team, including team principal Fred Vasseur, chief executive Benedetto Vigna, and Piero Ferrari, the son of the legendary founder. During his time at the team headquarters, he also fit a custom seat and familiarized himself with the driving procedures using Ferrari’s simulator.
Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Hamilton shared his emotions on Instagram, stating, “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days. I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. I couldn’t be happier to realize that dream today.” He expressed excitement for the future, highlighting the opportunity to begin a new era with such an iconic team.
Hamilton’s recent track day was also notable as it marked his first session with new race engineer Riccardo Adami. Meanwhile, his long-time race engineer Peter Bonnington continues with Mercedes. A familiar face returning to his entourage is Angela Cullen, Hamilton’s former physio, who has joined his Project 44 company after a two-year hiatus.
Photos from Lewis Hamilton Testing at Fiorano
Ferrari Fiorano January Testing
Ferrari Fiorano January Testing
Ferrari Fiorano January Testing
Ferrari Fiorano January Testing
Ferrari Fiorano January Testing
Ferrari Fiorano January Testing
Ferrari Fiorano January Testing
Ferrari Fiorano January Testing
Ferrari Fiorano January Testing
Ferrari Fiorano January Testing
Ferrari Fiorano January Testing
Ferrari Fiorano January Testing
Ferrari Fiorano January Testing
Ferrari Fiorano January Testing
Ferrari Fiorano January Testing
In this article
Filip Cleeren
Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari
Source
www.motorsport.com