Hamilton's first Ferrari laps

At the private Fiorano circuit, Ferrari's 2025 season began with a testing day that combined Lewis Hamilton's first experience behind the wheel of a Scuderia car and Charles Leclerc's return after the winter break. Under challenging weather conditions, both drivers completed a total of 44 laps, attracting fans eager to witness the start of a new chapter in Maranello.

Hamilton's debut at Fiorano

The first session of the day was led by Lewis Hamilton, who faced the morning fog in his debut with the SF-23. The British driver completed an initial stint on wet tires before switching to simulations of fast laps and standing starts on slicks. In total, he completed 30 laps, covering 89 kilometers. His excitement at the end of the session was evident as he greeted the tifosi who waited for hours in cold and damp conditions. The presence of his family members and Ferrari Vice Chairman Piero Ferrari highlighted the significance of the occasion for the team.

Hamilton described his first day at Ferrari as an unforgettable experience. “Starting the engine and driving out of the garage door brought me back to my early days in Formula 1. The passion of this family is something you can only understand when you're part of it,” he remarked, reflecting on the day.

Leclerc's return

In the afternoon, after a brief pause for car adjustments, Charles Leclerc took over. The Monegasque driver completed 14 laps, covering 42 kilometers in a program focused on track condition familiarization and specific setup tests. Despite the weather, Leclerc took the opportunity to connect with fans by performing controlled maneuvers that delighted the attendees.

“It's good to be back behind the wheel after the break. Feeling the support of the fans motivates everyone on the team. This day marks the beginning of an intense period of work to prepare for the season,” Leclerc commented after his session.

Preparations for Bahrain

The testing day also served as an exercise for the garage staff, fine-tuning details ahead of the official testing in Bahrain. Team Principal Fred Vasseur emphasized the importance of such sessions to adapt both drivers and engineers, as well as mechanics, to the competitive dynamic awaiting them.

With this session at Fiorano, Ferrari begins a new phase filled with expectations, driven by Hamilton's experience and charisma alongside Leclerc's continuity and talent. Attention now shifts to their efforts in Bahrain, where both drivers will have the opportunity to push the limits of the new car designed for the 2025 season under more demanding conditions.