Lewis Hamilton is set to make his Ferrari F1 debut in an older car from the iconic Italian team during a private test session scheduled for early next year. This run will give Hamilton his first taste of Ferrari machinery ahead of the official pre-season testing in Bahrain in late February, where he’ll drive the 2025 Ferrari challenger.
While Ferrari initially aimed to get Hamilton in the car at the post-season Abu Dhabi test, those plans have been shelved, with the team instead organizing a private session, likely at their Fiorano circuit, to help him adjust to his new surroundings.
The seven-time world champion will joinl Ferrari in 2025, following his decision early this year to depart Mercedes after an impressive 12 seasons with the German team.
Teams can run F1 cars that are at least two years old outside of official testing and race weekends, allowing Hamilton to get a feel for the 2022 Ferrari, the first car built under the current technical regulations. Vasseur has confirmed that Ferrari is already gearing up for next season, aiming to launch a serious title bid with Hamilton joining their ranks.
“I’m not sure that he needs tons of hours of acclimatization,” Ferrari principal Frédéric Vasseur told media. “He is experienced enough to be quick on the first day, or at least very soon. We’ll have one or two TPC [Testing of Previous Cars] days, plus the test in Bahrain, and that will be enough.”
Lewis Hamilton’s debut drive for Ferrari is now planned for early next year in the 2022 car, at the legendary Fiorano test track.
This delay results from Mercedes assigning Hamilton to end-of-year promotional commitments, preventing him from participating in the Abu Dhabi tyre… pic.twitter.com/ikqW2ECNvQ
— Ferrari Focus (@Scuderiascoop) November 13, 2024
Vasseur mentioned that the factory team is working on finalizing a program to familiarize Hamilton with Ferrari’s operations ahead of the 2025 season, though he isn’t personally involved in the process at this stage.
Hamilton encouraged by Ferrari’s 2024 form
Lewis Hamilton expressed amazement at Ferrari and McLaren’s impressive surge past Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, calling it “remarkable” as he prepares to join the Italian team next season. Ferrari’s back-to-back victories in the United States and Mexico before Verstappen’s Interlagos win have raised hopes that Hamilton will have a competitive car in 2025, one that could support his pursuit of a record-breaking eighth drivers’ title.
When asked if he was encouraged by the Prancing Horses this season, the seven-time world champion replied “Of course. If you look at somewhere like maybe China already, the Red Bull was like a second ahead. And it’s been quite incredible to see the McLaren rise and then the Ferrari in the last few races, to see their progress and just trying to keep an eye on everyone’s car and what they’re changing and what they’re adding.”
The Britt shocked the sports world just before the 2024 season kicked off by announcing that he would be leaving Mercedes at year’s end, having signed a multi-year contract to join the legendary Italian team.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
