"I am living every moment": Lewis Hamilton shares first impressions of Ferrari SF-25 after private Fiorano test debut

Lewis Hamilton officially embarked on his Ferrari journey as he took to the track for the first time with the SF-25 at Fiorano, marking a significant moment in his illustrious Formula 1 career. Following the grand reveal of Ferrari’s latest F1 challenger at the F1 75 event in London, anticipation was high as Hamilton and his new teammate, Charles Leclerc, geared up for their first laps with the SF-25.

Charles Leclerc had the honor of taking the car out first, recording approximately 30 laps in the morning session. The Monegasque driver, known for his loyalty to Ferrari as a product of their Driver Academy, received a warm reception from fans as he concluded his run. Hamilton, who was seen capturing the moment on camera, took over in the afternoon. His debut in the iconic red machine was met with loud cheers from the Tifosi, highlighting the excitement surrounding his new chapter with Ferrari.

For Hamilton, the experience of driving his first Ferrari F1 car was surreal. “It’s my first Ferrari and it’s hard to believe. I am living every moment intensely,” he expressed to Sky Italy, encapsulating the emotion of stepping into one of the most legendary cars on the grid. Despite the early stage of testing, Hamilton shared positive initial feedback, stating, “How’s the car? Good. It’s still early, I can’t say too much, but today we had no problems.”
The testing at Fiorano was conducted under the shakedown run regulations, which allowed both Hamilton and Leclerc to complete up to 100 kilometers each as part of a filming day. This served as a crucial first step before the official pre-season test in Bahrain next week, where the SF-25 will truly be put to the test.
Hamilton also reflected on his budding partnership with Leclerc, a key component for Ferrari’s 2025 campaign. “It’s great to work with Leclerc, but we already had things in common,” he shared. As he adapts to his new environment, Hamilton is focused on building a strong rapport with his teammate and aligning with Ferrari’s culture. “I’m starting to learn how he works and I’m doing my best to find the best feeling with the team,” he added, signaling his commitment to making the most of this new alliance.
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With his first laps in the SF-25 now under his belt, Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari era is officially underway, and fans worldwide eagerly await what this powerful partnership will bring to the 2025 F1 season.