Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari driver posts picture on first day with Italian crew and says he ‘could not be happier’ forward of 2025 F1 season | F1 Information

Lewis Hamilton stated he “couldn’t be happier” to have realised his dream of turning into a Ferrari driver as he formally started work with the Italian crew on Monday.

Hamilton marked his first day on the well-known Prancing Horse’s Maranello manufacturing unit with a social media put up expressing his delight at reaching a career-long “dream”.

The seven-time world champion shocked the sporting world final February by deciding to depart Mercedes after 12 years to signal for Ferrari for the 2025 season within the sport’s highest-profile switch of all time.

Hamilton wrote on Instagram: “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 have been fortunate sufficient to have achieved issues in my profession I by no means thought doable, however a part of me has at all times held on to that dream of racing in crimson. I could not be happier to grasp that dream at the moment.

“Today we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together.”

Hamilton is ready to drive a Ferrari F1 automotive for the primary time later this week, with the Brit anticipated to get some testing time of their 2023 automotive round on the Fiorano circuit, which is adjoining to the crew’s manufacturing unit.

The blockbuster Hamilton-Ferrari transfer has united F1’s most-successful driver in historical past with the most-successful crew.

Hamilton, who turned 40 earlier this month, has gained a document 105 races and a joint-best seven world championships, whereas Ferrari cleared the path on the all-time tables for each drivers’ (15) and constructors’ title (16) triumphs.

However the Scuderia haven’t gained any title since 2008, though a robust finish to final season noticed them end inside 14 factors of latest constructors’ champions McLaren in second place.

Ferrari have opted towards unveiling Hamilton with an official press convention, as a substitute ready till F1’s official 2025 season launch on February 18, which might be adopted by the crew’s personal media occasion a day later.

Hamilton’s first day at Ferrari in images

Hamilton set for ‘whole immersion programme’

Shortly after Hamilton’s put up on social media, Ferrari offered extra element on how the Brit had spent his first day in Maranello.

A crew assertion stated: “Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari adventure is now under way. Early this morning, the seven-time world champion arrived at the team’s Maranello headquarters at via Enzo Ferrari 27.

“From there he went to the Fiorano monitor the place, towards the backdrop of Enzo Ferrari’s home, within the small sq. now named after the one different seven-time Method 1 world champion, Michael Schumacher, he was met by crew principal, Fred Vasseur and Ferrari chief govt, Benedetto Vigna.

“The traditional “first day” photos were taken there and even the weather helped to make Lewis feel at home, with some typically British overcast skies and drizzle. Also on hand was a Ferrari F40, Lewis’ favourite supercar.

“Subsequent on Lewis’ agenda was a brief go to to the Fiorano home and the pit storage, with Vasseur and Vigna, together with a take a look at the well-known workplace, from the place Enzo Ferrari would watch his crew at work. Hamilton then returned to the Scuderia HQ, the place he met the administration crew and Piero Ferrari, earlier than embarking on a daylong whole immersion programme, visiting all the varied departments to get to know the crew.

“The work continues tomorrow with more technical meetings and briefings as preparations get under way for what will be a very busy season.”

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