After two days of meetings and introductions, Lewis Hamilton was finally hired to work at Ferrari.
Step into the cockpit of an F1 car and push it to its limits.
Hamilton took to Ferrari's test track on Wednesday to put the car through its paces in the SF-23, the team's challenger for the 2023 season. Under F1's Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations, Hamilton was able to get a feel for Ferrari's car by driving the car used in the previous season.
in Post session reportHamilton described the day as “one of the best feelings of my life.”
“Aside from driving an HP car for Scuderia Ferrari, I am fortunate to have experienced many firsts in my career, from my first test to my first race, podiums, wins and championships. I didn't know how many more firsts I'd have, and the first time I felt it this morning was one of the best feelings of my life,” Hamilton said. “When I started the car and walked through the garage door, I had the biggest smile on my face. It reminded me of the first time I tested an F1 car, and it was such an exciting and special moment. And now, almost 20 years later, I'm here feeling that feeling again.”
Hamilton completed 30 laps in the session, covering a distance of 89km. Under TPC regulations, cars can only cover a total of 1,000 kilometers with drivers from a single team.
“I already knew from the outside how passionate the Ferrari family is, from the whole team to the tifosi. But now, as a Ferrari driver, it's awe-inspiring to witness it first-hand. “It's something to embrace,” Hamilton added. “That passion runs through their veins and you can't help but energize it. I'm so grateful for the love I've felt from everyone in Maranello this week. There's so much work to do, but let's get started. I can’t wait.”
While Hamilton's morning session was something of an introductory session to the Ferrari car for the legendary driver, Charles Leclerc's afternoon session was a very different program. The team said Leclerc completed 43 laps “because there are no secrets in the SF-23.”
“The first day back in the car after the holidays is always a great feeling. So many fans came to see us and it's great to get back on track. When you feel this kind of excitement surrounding the team, it's very It gives me motivation. It was raining a little while I was driving, but it was a good day,” said Leclerc.
“Of course it was good to see Lewis do his first lap in a Ferrari. It was a special moment for the team and for him,” added Leclerc. “I’m looking forward to getting back in the car next week and getting to work in earnest for next season.”
Both sessions took place under the watchful eye of Ferrari leadership, including team principal Frédéric Vasseur and Ferrari vice president Piero Ferrari.
“Going out on the track for the first time every year is like the first day back to school and it's a very emotional feeling, especially today as it was Lewis' first day as part of the team. said Basseur. . “Welcoming a new driver is always an important moment. Maybe today wasn't a special day for Charles, but it's great to see him healthy, relaxed and motivated to go racing again. it was good.
“Technically speaking, Charles and Lewis didn't have the best weather, but they got back into shape and immersed themselves in the track environment ahead of their first proper test in a month in Bahrain,” he added. Ferrari team representative. “It was also a warm-up for the team in the garage. That was the only purpose today.”
