It's not just fans and Formula 1 spectators who are excited to see Lewis Hamilton don the red Prancing Horse suit. Internally too, the impatience cannot be more palpable in the ranks of Ferrari, more than enthusiastic to welcome the seven-time world champion in 2025. The Briton should drive his first Ferrari single-seater in the coming days, in Fiorano, in as part of the TPC program (“Testing of Previous Car”, with cars aged two years or more) if conditions permit.
An impatience that is felt right up to the highest levels of the Ferrari organization. Benedetto Vigna, general manager of Ferrari, cannot escape the global excitement that has been driving Maranello for several weeks, even months. “There is excitement, a great desire to start, to do the testsrecognizes the Italian leader in an interview with Corriere della Sera. Change is always important and Hamilton is back in the game. I loved reading her post on LinkedIn at the start of the year, a powerful message about not losing hope in all areas. With him and Charles [Leclerc]we're going to have fun. »
Vigna found Hamilton's LinkedIn post ” Magnificent “
Benedetto Vigna did not fail to underline the courage of Lewis Hamilton, to embark on a new challenge at the age of 40 with the Scuderia when he could have ended his career at Mercedes. For the CEO of Ferrari, his arrival will be essential for the development of the Italian team, particularly with a view to 2026.
“A man who has won seven titles can convey a lot of things, indicates the Italian. If I talk to Fred [Vasseur, patron de Ferrari]he highlights his ability to give technical advice, but not only that. He has a great desire for change, he is not afraid. At 40, he's back in the game. It embraced a different culture in many ways, compared to the Anglo-Saxon culture. For me, this post on Linkedin reminded me of the moment when Indro Montanelli [un journaliste italien qui a fondé le journal La Voce à l’âge de 85 ans, à la suite d’un désaccord avec Silvio Berlusconi en 1994] decided to change at the age of 80. I found it magnificent. »
-A feeling of impatience reinforced by the great dynamics displayed by Ferrari in the second part of the 2024 season, where the Scuderia played for the title until the end and finally fell 16 points short of the world title behind McLaren. Benedetto Vigna said Ferrari's progress in 2024, the second campaign under Frédéric Vasseur, has made it “iron” and he felt that the arrival of Lewis Hamilton would bring a “boost” additional to his team.
“Last year, during the last race in Abu Dhabi, I personally thanked the whole team, from Fred Vasseur to the mechanics. I am proud of the work accomplished, he confides. There is now a good atmosphere. It is clear that it must always be maintained, that is the beauty of the Ferrari spirit: it always pushes you to go further. This will give us new impetus. Lewis will learn things from us and we will learn things from him. It's like dancing, the important thing is not to lose the rhythm. »
READ ALSO > What is the “TPC”, these private tests that Ferrari will organize for Hamilton at Fiorano?
