Hamilton opens up about his first on-track day with Ferrari
Having completed his first official visit to Ferrari's Maranello headquarters on Monday, seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton has opened up about his first drive in an F1 Ferrari, labelling his experience as “one of the best feelings of my life”.
Lewis Hamilton completed his first visit to Ferrari's Italian headquarters on Monday when he met engineers and the staff at the Scuderia's F1 department. The Briton then took part in photo shooting on Tuesday before performing work in the simulator.
Hamilton then hit Ferrari's own test track at Fiorano on Wednesday. Even if weather was far from ideal, the seven-time F1 champion carried out some installation laps and start practices before racking up some mileages on slick tyres to end the day with a total of 30 laps.
The 105-time F1 race winner was supported by his mother Carmen, his former trainer Angela Cullen while team boss Fred Vasseur and deputy team boss Jerome d'Amborosio also looked on.
Reflecting on his first on-track day with Ferrari, Hamilton hailed the experience as “one of the best feelings of my life”.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have many firsts in my career, from the first test to the first race, podium, win and championship, so I wasn’t sure how many more firsts I had but driving a Scuderia Ferrari HP car for the first time this morning, was one of the best feelings of my life,” Hamilton reflected afterwards.
“When I started the car up and drove through that garage door, I had the biggest smile on my face. It reminded me of the very first time I tested a Formula 1 car, it was such an exciting and special moment, and here I am, almost 20 years later, feeling those emotions all over again.
“I already knew from the outside how passionate the Ferrari family is, from everyone in the team to the Tifosi! But to now witness it firsthand as a Ferrari driver has been awe-inspiring. That passion runs through their veins and you can’t help but be energised by it.
“I’m so grateful for the love I have felt from everyone in Maranello this week, we have a lot of work to do but I can’t wait to get started," concluded Hamilton.
