Ferrari fans embrace Hamilton: 'It's like he's always been driving here'

Ferrari shares first footage of Hamilton at F1 test

Ferrari filmed Hamilton as he set off from Enzo Ferrari's house to the Fiorano circuit. The seven-time world champion can be seen putting on his brand-new helmet for the first time and getting into the SF-23 from the 2023 F1 season. 

Fans are present in large numbers to cheer on Ferrari's new acquisition. "It almost feels that this has been his team for almost his entire career," Sky Sports presenter Craig Slater explained before Hamilton took to the Fiorano circuit this morning. "He's been immersed in Ferrari over these last few days. He now feels very much like a Ferrari driver. He will be hopefully taking to the track. As you can see, it's a little bit misty at the moment, but we expect that mist to burn off and the best conditions for him to drive what will be a 2023 car should be in the morning.

"It's great to have this atmosphere. There are Charles Leclerc fans here as well, and it's a family affair for Lewis Hamilton today. He's got his dad here, Anthony, his stepmother, Linda, and I understand his mother, Carmen, as well. So a lot of emotion is on the track for him today." Slater added.

Many fans arrived early at the track to secure a good spot for the test. Photos on social media show that some were already there around 5am. Even before dawn, at a foggy Fiorano, hundreds of fans and photographers lined the circuit, eager to witness the historic moment of Hamilton’s first test with Ferrari.

Stepping into a new era

Lewis Hamilton takes his first lap in a Ferrari! pic.twitter.com/LCOws2haSn

— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 22, 2025

This article was written in collaboration with Toby Nixon

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