Lewis Hamilton has officially begun his journey with Ferrari, taking to the track for the first time in a 2023 Formula 1 car at the iconic Fiorano circuit.

On a misty Wednesday morning, just after 9am local time, the seven-time world champion climbed into the SF-23, dressed in Ferrari red and sporting a striking yellow helmet. Despite the fog, passionate tifosi lined the fences in Maranello, eager to catch their first glimpse of Hamilton as a Ferrari driver.

The day kicked off with Hamilton completing his first laps on Pirelli’s wet demonstration tyres to carry out system checks. Later, he will share the track with teammate Charles Leclerc as Ferrari films content commemorating this significant moment in their history.

Hamilton’s week in Maranello has been a blend of nostalgia and new beginnings. On Monday, he visited Enzo Ferrari’s historic mansion, where he posed for an instantly iconic photo, dressed in his signature stylish attire. He also spent time meeting key figures within the team, including team principal Fred Vasseur, CEO Benedetto Vigna, and Enzo Ferrari’s son, Piero. Additionally, the 40-year-old had his seat fitted and familiarised himself with Ferrari’s simulator and driving protocols.

Reflecting on this monumental moment, Hamilton shared his thoughts on Instagram:
“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 achieve 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. Today we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together.”

Wednesday also marked the start of Hamilton’s collaboration with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami. Meanwhile, his long-time engineer Peter Bonnington remains with Mercedes. However, Hamilton has reunited with former physio Angela Cullen, who now works within his Project 44 organisation after a two-year hiatus.

For Ferrari and Hamilton, this marks the beginning of what could be a thrilling new chapter.