Hamilton: Ferrari debut ‘one of the best feelings in my life’

A wave of scarlet fever swept across Fiorano on Wednesday as Lewis Hamilton enjoyed his long-awaited F1 debut with Scuderia Ferrari.

Even the damp and misty morning couldn't spoil the spirits of the hundreds of Tifosi who had flocked to Ferrari’s test track to witness history and to welcome their newest hero. And they weren't disappointed.

At exactly 9:16 a.m., the seven-time world took to the track behind the wheel of the Scuderia’s 2023-spec SF-23, the most recent Ferrari permitted for testing under F1’s ‘Testing of Previous Cars’ rules.

The growl of the hybrid engine was soon matched by the roar of the crowd as Hamilton enjoyed a cautious opening installation lap on Pirelli demonstration wet tyres, the limited-grip track demanding respect.

But even in these tentative early moments, Hamilton made sure to connect with the fans who had come to celebrate this union of a British legend and an Italian institution.

With one hand on the wheel, he raised the other in a warm wave, a simple yet heartfelt acknowledgment of the Tifosi’s devotion.

You Never Forget Your First Time

Hamilton returned to the pits for routine checks before heading back out for a series of short runs. His first proper stint consisted of 10 laps on wet tyres, during which he performed a couple of practice starts.

These starts weren’t just technical exercises – they were symbolic, a metaphorical ignition of his Ferrari journey.

As the morning wore on and the Fiorano track began to dry, Hamilton switched to slick tyres, taking his first steps in understanding the nuances of Ferrari’s ground-effect car.

"I've been lucky enough to have many firsts in my career, from the first test to the first race, podium, win and championship, so I wasn't sure how many more firsts I had but driving a Ferrari for the first time this morning, was one of the best feelings of my life," said Hamilton at the end of his memorable stint.

• Gallery: Hamilton’s first day of running with Ferrari in pictures

"When I started the car up and drove through that garage door, I had the biggest smile on my face.

“It reminded me of the very first time I tested a Formula 1 car, it was such an exciting and special moment, and here I am, almost 20 years later, feeling those emotions all over again."

A Champion Greets His Fans

After completing approximately 30 laps and roughly 100 kilometers of running, Hamilton exited the SF-23 and indulged in a debrief session with his engineers, after which he hitched a ride to the far end of the circuit to salute the fans who had gathered on the overpass since the early hours.

The gesture was met with thunderous applause and chants, solidifying the bond between the new driver and his passionate supporters.

"I already knew from the outside how passionate the Ferrari family is, from everyone in the team to the Tifosi! But to now witness it firsthand as a Ferrari driver has been awe-inspiring," added the seven-time world champion.

"That passion runs through their veins and you can’t help but be energised by it.

"I'm so grateful for the love I have felt from everyone in Maranello this week, we have a lot of work to do but I can't wait to get started."

Adding to the emotional atmosphere, Sky F1 pundit Craig Slater revealed that Hamilton’s family – his father Anthony, stepmother Linda, and mother Carmen – were present to witness this historic occasion.

“It’s a family affair for Lewis Hamilton today,” Slater reported. “So a lot of emotion on the track for him today.”

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