It’s done, Lewis Hamilton has started his first test at the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1.
After two days of work in Maranello meeting the team and speaking with its engineers, Hamilton headed to the Fiorano test track at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday for his first test behind the wheel of a Ferrari.
Hamilton is driving the Ferrari SF-23 this morning to start. The 2022 F1-75 is also available, alternating with Charles Leclerc. The SF-23 is the most recent version that teams are permitted to use under F1 sporting regulations.
As Hamilton is one of Ferrari’s tenured racing drivers, he is limited in his mileage total for the year.
Teams are entitled to a total of 20 days of driving with an old car over the entire season, with only four days and a maximum of 1000 km for drivers registered in the championship.
This driving will above all allow him to familiarize himself with certain key factors such as his position, the steering wheel controls, and the general philosophy of the Ferrari.
-It also gives Hamilton a first opportunity to work with his team of engineers in a garage to create these bonds, and will allow him to acclimatize to the Ferrari engine – as Hamilton has only known one Mercedes engine in his entire career in F1.
Hamilton also released images of his new helmet for 2025 this Wednesday morning ahead of his first laps in the Ferrari (pictured below).
Find here the photo gallery of this 1st test which will be regularly completed during the day.
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