Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton has expressed his delight at the opportunity to start a new chapter at Ferrari.
The seven-time world champion took his first step as a Ferrari driver on Monday, after spending 12 years with Mercedes.
The 40-year-old met with the team’s boss Frederic Vasseur, and Ferrari’s managing director Benedetto Vigna at Fiorano circuit.
He was also able to talk to several members of the team with whom he will be working over the coming weeks, including Riccardo Adami, who will be his track engineer.
Hamilton is excited for the challenges ahead of the new Formula 1 season.
He said: “Today we start a new chapter in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together.
“There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a 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’m dedicated to bringing everything I have to deliver for the team, the wider organisation and the fans.”
Hamilton will partner Charles Leclerc as they bid to deliver the first Ferrari world champion since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.
He is expected to drive a 2023 F1 car at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track later in the week, and will complete further days in it at Barcelona before the launch of the 2025 Ferrari on 19 February.
This will be the first time in Hamilton’s 18-year F1 career that he has driven a car that does not use a Mercedes engine.
The 2023 car is the most recent Hamilton is permitted to drive under F1’s testing restrictions.
Hamilton has won a joint-record seven Formula One World Drivers’ Championship titles—tied with Michael Schumacher—and holds the records for most wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (202).
He won a record-breaking ninth British Grand Prix victory in 2024 in his 12th, and final season with Mercedes.
