Inside Lewis Hamilton's debut Ferrari F1 test as Brit left 'energised' by huge crowd
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Lewis Hamilton said his first experience of driving a Ferrari F1 car was "one of the best feelings of my life". Hamilton started work for his new team this week and travelled to their base in Maranello, Italy, to meet his colleagues. And yesterday he got his first taste of Ferrari F1 machinery with a run in their 2023 car around the Fiorano test track next door to the factory.
A huge crowd of excited fans gathered at the circuit to cheer him on, some waving Union Flags and many more sporting Ferrari merchandise. Hamilton acknowledged them after completing 30 laps as he emerged from a black SUV to smile and wave to them, while his mother beamed as she recorded the scenes on her phone.
And afterwards the seven-time champion beamed: "Driving a Scuderia Ferrari car for the first time this morning was one of the best feelings of my life. 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.
"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 first-hand as a Ferrari driver has been awe-inspiring. That passion runs through their veins and you can't help but be energised by it.".
Weather conditions were far from ideal with a dense fog covering the circuit, which was washed away by drizzle which limited team-mate Charles Leclerc to just 14 laps of running. It was the first of several test days Ferrari have organised to help get their new signing up to speed.
