Lewis Hamilton got his first taste of a Ferrari F1 car after the seven-time World Champion got behind the wheel at a private test on Wednesday morning.
Hamilton completed laps in the 2023 Scuderia Ferrari F1 car, at the manufacturers Fiorano test track.
Testing rules prohibit the Brit getting laps in the 2024 and 2025 spec cars.
Photos circulated of the running on Wednesday morning, before Ferrari confirmed the test, saying Hamilton had left the garage at 09:16 CET.
The Italian manufacturer also posted a video of Hamilton driving the famous scarlet car.
Misty conditions and a tight track will have limited the amount of representative data the team can collect from the test.
Nevertheless, it provides Hamilton an opportunity to get used to the Ferrari. It’s a new steering wheel, engine, and other race systems for the 40-year-old to adapt to.
Dedicated Tifosi were keen to get a view of their new star driver, with fans gathering in public areas around the track.
The test marks another milestone in Hamilton’s acclimatisation to his new team. Hamilton has spent the previous 12 years of his career at Mercedes.
It’s remarkable that in his 18 year career, Hamilton has only ever driven for two teams and has never driven a non-Mercedes powered car.
Hamilton called his time at Ferrari a “new era” on an Instagram post in the days before the test.
He has also posted photos of him in a Ferrari race suit and his new helmet design ahead of the test.
It comes as Hamilton is set to reunite with former trainer Angela Cullen. The Kiwi was alongside Hamilton for much of his success with Mercedes in the late 2010’s.
What Next for Hamilton at Ferrari?
Hamilton has been all over the headlines in recent days.
He’s expected to complete laps at the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya as well. That’s before the launch of the car on 19th February.
The first time Hamilton will be able to drive the car in anger will be in Bahrain. The official pre-season test will get underway on 26th February and lasts three days.
All of that is before the first race of the season in Australia. The F1 season gets underway with free practice in Australia on 14th March.