Ferrari’s Vigna confirms Hamilton arrival in Maranello next week

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In what is arguably the most eagerly awaited chapter in recent Formula 1 history, Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna has confirmed that Lewis Hamilton will officially begin his 2025 season with the Scuderia next week.

After a challenging season and an emotional farewell from Mercedes, Hamilton is finally ready to don the iconic red of Italy’s legendary prancing horse.

The seven-time world champion’s move to the House of Maranello signals a thrilling union between the sport’s most successful team and its most decorated driver.

“There is a lot of excitement, a great desire to begin,” Vigna said in a public event held in Milan this week.

“Lewis will be with us at Ferrari next week. We are preparing the last things.”

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Fans and pundits alike have buzzed about the potential of the historic partnership, which sent shockwaves through the sporting world when Ferrari announced it nearly a year ago, just before the 2024 F1 season.

“There is a lot of expectation,” Vigna continued. “We are ready for almost everything. We’ll make sure everything is in place. Changes are always beautiful.”

Hamilton’s First Week: Engineers, Simulators, and Fiorano

Hamilton’s first days with Ferrari will be a mix of introductions and groundwork. On his agenda are meetings with his engineers, including his new race engineer Riccardo Adami.

Adami has previously worked with Carlos Sainz and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, making him a seasoned voice in the cockpit.

The Briton will also dive straight into Ferrari’s testing program. Starting January 21, the Scuderia will run a three-day Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) program featuring their 2022 F1-75 at Fiorano.

Hamilton will step into the car on Wednesday, January 22, sharing testing duties with teammate Charles Leclerc.

Maximizing Testing Ahead of the New Season

The Maranello test is only the beginning. According to reports, to further accelerate Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari machinery, the team has also booked a four-day TPC session at the Barcelona circuit at the end of the month.

This will allow Hamilton to complete the full 1,000-kilometer allowance of pre-season running for full-time drivers.

For both Ferrari and Hamilton, this marks the dawn of a new chapter filled with potential and high hopes.

The world will be watching as one of the sport’s most iconic names embarks on a journey to add even more glory to Ferrari’s storied legacy.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.