Vasseur reveals the reason for Ferrari's test run on Wednesday
With Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc having completed their first on-track day of the new year, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur has revealed the reason for staging a short test running at the Scuderia's own test track at Fiorano.
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 the slick tyres to end the day with a total of 30 laps.
The 105-time F1 race winner was supported by his mom Carmen, his former trainer Angela Cullen while team boss Fred Vasseur and deputy team boss Jerome d'Amborosio also looked on.
While Hamilton put in his first laps with an F1 Ferrari in the morning, his future team-mate Charles Leclerc took over the car in the afternoon.
The Monégasque only racked up a total of 14 laps before performing some celebratory donuts for the watching fans while he also hinted that the Scuderia will carry on with its on-track running next week.
Team boss Vasseur also offered his thoughts following Hamilton's first laps behind the wheel of a Ferrari, claiming that the purpose of the day was to "warm the team up" for the new season.
“As is the case every year, the first time you go out on track is a bit like the first day back at school and quite an emotional feeling, especially today as it was Lewis’ first day as part of the team.
“Welcoming a new driver is always an important moment. Maybe today was less special for Charles, but it was good to see him fit, relaxed and keen to go racing again.
"As for the technical side, Charles and Lewis did their laps in not the best weather, but they got back in the swing of things and immersed themselves in the track environment prior to the first proper test in a month’s time in Bahrain.
"It was also a warm-up for the team in the garage. That was the sole purpose of today," concluded Vasseur.
