Hamilton Makes Historic First Ferrari Test Drive at Fiorano Track

Hamilton Makes Historic First Ferrari Test Drive at Fiorano Track

By Michael Anderson

January 23, 2025 at 12:21 AM

Lewis Hamilton has completed his first test drive as a Ferrari driver at the team's Fiorano test track, using their 2023 SF-23 car.

The seven-time world champion began his track session at 09:16am local time, starting with wet tires before transitioning to slicks as conditions improved. Hundreds of fans gathered to witness this historic moment.

Red race car speeding ahead

Red race car speeding ahead

After 12 successful seasons with Mercedes, Hamilton's transition to Ferrari marks a significant shift, as he's only driven Mercedes-powered cars throughout his Formula 1 career. This test is crucial for:

  • Adapting to Ferrari's power unit settings and controls
  • Adjusting to new steering wheel functions and driving modes
  • Fine-tuning his seating position before pre-season testing in Bahrain

As a Ferrari race driver, Hamilton is limited to:

  • 4 days of previous car testing
  • Maximum 1000km of running during the season
  • Testing only with cars at least two years old

The 40-year-old driver revealed his 2025 helmet design featuring a return to his iconic yellow color scheme, generating significant excitement, particularly in Italy. Hamilton aims to secure a record-breaking eighth drivers' championship, surpassing Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher's record.

The official pre-season testing will take place in Bahrain from February 26-28, where drivers get just 1.5 days of running each.

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