‘First time in red’: Lewis Hamilton makes test debut for new team Ferrari
Share:
Lewis Hamilton has realised a lifelong ambition by completing his first laps as a Ferrari driver. The British seven-times world champion, who turned 40 earlier this month, took to the Italian team’s private test circuit at Fiorano in foggy conditions early on Wednesday morning.
![[Ferrari tifosi out in force to welcome Lewis Hamilton to the famous racing marque.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/0153a03fb8608990a80f39287aa89141c9283ab9/0_389_6000_3600/master/6000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Hamilton is testing a 2023 Ferrari - the latest model he is allowed to use - and permitted to drive 1,000km (621 miles) under Formula One’s rules. Following his test at Fiorano, the former Mercedes driver is set to complete further miles at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya before three-day pre-season testing starts in Bahrain on 26 February.
![[Lewis Hamilton’s social media post.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/9e49afff13e9a452272ee2e5525629dfc7f48b7f/95_38_961_1202/master/961.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Hamilton has enjoyed a whirlwind week at the Italian team’s Maranello headquarters after meeting up with his new colleagues following his blockbuster transfer from the Brackley-based team. He posted a picture on his social media accounts dressed in red - an image that attracted 1.5 million “likes” inside an hour of it being uploaded to Instagram.
Hamilton, who is bidding to become the first driver to win eight world titles, said on Monday: “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days. “I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. I couldn’t be happier to realise that dream today.
