Lewis Hamilton has arrived in Maranello!

The arrival of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari is becoming more and more concrete. Before seeing the Briton officially wear the red suit during the presentation of the Scuderia single-seaters on February 19, fans will have to be content with the first tests that the seven-time world champion will carry out with Ferrari this week.

Hamilton in fact arrived this morning at the Ferrari competition department to prepare for his track debut scheduled for Wednesday 22 at Fiorano, the team's private circuit, with an F1-75, the 2022 single-seater, with which he will have the right to cover up to 1000 km since it is a model more than two years old. Within Gestione Sportiva, an unusual climate of anticipation reigned in all departments, as the former Mercedes driver's arrival at Maranello aroused great enthusiasm.

Inside, as outside, curiosity is required as the Englishman's beginnings fascinate and mobilize: it is impossible to find a hotel room around Fiorano, recording an affluence that exceeds the town of Sassuolo and extends to Modena. Luigi Zironi, the mayor of Maranello, asked his colleagues in the region to help him strengthen controls, in order to ensure safety and traffic on this very special day for the small town.

Hamilton showed up early in the morning at the Gestione Sportiva headquarters: this Monday is only intended for one of “making contact”a preparatory day. The Briton was thus able to interact with the different personalities who will follow him in this adventure at Ferrari, in particular with Riccardo Adami who will be his track engineer. The Scuderia staff therefore began molding the seat, having a taste of the meticulousness which they will have to demonstrate in the creation of the carbon “cradle” in which Hamilton will sit when he is called to drive in the coming days .

Immediately, the 40-year-old raced to customize his steering wheel, checking to see if some of the controls he had requested had been added as he expected. The steering wheel hasn't been completely remodeled, just a few levers and buttons. Differences that we already observed between Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Hamilton was then taken to the factory adjacent to the Fiorano circuit, home to the Dynisma-designed simulator, a system certainly more modern than the one he usually used at Brackley. He was able to try out the simulator for the first time, testing the steering wheel and evaluating the few small changes.

He was also able to take the first photos of himself in his red jumpsuit. However, the real work will begin tomorrow, when he will discover not only Ferrari's methods, but also the car he will drive on Wednesday at the Prancing Horse circuit.

The British champion will undergo Fiorano's “ritual”, immediately discovering what it means to become a Ferrari driver: on Wednesday he will meet his new teammate Charles Leclerc, who will begin his training. Both will try to collaborate, because on the track, there will be no shortage of rivalries… Hamilton is already part of the legend of his new team with a photo published on social networks in front of Enzo Ferrari's house.

“There are days that you know you will remember for the rest of your life and today, my debut as a Ferrari driver, is one of them”Hamilton commented on Instagram. “I've been lucky enough to achieve things I never thought possible in my career, but part of me has always had this dream of racing in red.”

“I couldn't be happier to make this dream come true today. Today we begin a new era in the history of this legendary team and I can't wait to see what history we will write together.”