Following two days of conferences and introductions, Lewis Hamilton lastly bought to do what he was employed to do at Ferrari.
Climb into the cockpit of a Components 1 automobile and push it to the restrict.
Hamilton climbed into the SF-23, the group’s challenger in the course of the 2023 season, at Ferrari’s check monitor on Wednesday and put the machine by way of its paces. Below F1’s Testing of Earlier Vehicles (TPC) laws, Hamilton was in a position to get a really feel for Ferrari equipment whereas driving a automobile utilized in a earlier season.
In a post-session report, Hamilton described the day as “among the finest emotions of my life.”
“I’ve been fortunate sufficient to have many firsts in my profession, from the primary check to the primary race, podium, win and championship, so I wasn’t certain what number of extra firsts I had however driving a Scuderia Ferrari HP automobile for the primary time this morning, was among the finest emotions of my life,” mentioned Hamilton. “After I began the automobile up and drove by way of that storage door, I had the largest smile on my face. It jogged my memory of the very first time I examined a Components 1 automobile, it was such an thrilling and particular second, and right here I’m, virtually twenty years later, feeling these feelings another time.”
Hamilton accomplished 30 laps in his session, protecting 89 kilometers. Below TPC laws vehicles are solely allowed to run for a complete of 1,000 kilometers throughout a single group’s drivers.
“I already knew from the surface how passionate the Ferrari household is, from everybody within the group to the Tifosi! However to now witness it firsthand as a Ferrari driver has been awe-inspiring,” added Hamilton. “That keenness runs by way of their veins and you may’t assist however be energised by it. I’m so grateful for the love I’ve felt from everybody in Maranello this week, we have now loads of work to do however I can’t wait to get began.”
Whereas Hamilton’s session within the morning was extra of an introductory session for the legendary driver to Ferrari equipment, Charles Leclerc’s afternoon session was a a lot totally different program. In response to the group Leclerc accomplished 43 laps, “because the SF-23 holds no secrets and techniques for him.”
“The primary day again within the automobile is all the time an ideal feeling after the vacations. It’s good to be again on monitor, to see that so many followers got here out to observe us. Feeling all this pleasure surrounding the group could be very motivating. It was a great day, though it was raining somewhat bit once I was driving,” mentioned Leclerc.
“After all it was good to have the ability to see Lewis driving his first laps in a Ferrari, which was a particular second for the group and for him,” added Leclerc. “Now I’m wanting ahead to being again within the automobile subsequent week and to actually begin working exhausting for the approaching season.”
Each classes got here underneath the watchful eyes of Ferrari’s management, together with Staff Principal Frederic Vasseur and Ferrari Vice President Piero Ferrari.
“As is the case yearly, the primary time you exit on monitor is a bit like the primary day again at college and fairly an emotional feeling, particularly right this moment because it was Lewis’ first day as a part of the group,” mentioned Vasseur. “Welcoming a brand new driver is all the time an essential second. Perhaps right this moment was much less particular for Charles, but it surely was good to see him match, relaxed and eager to go racing once more.
“As for the technical facet, Charles and Lewis did their laps in not one of the best climate, however they bought again within the swing of issues and immersed themselves within the monitor surroundings previous to the primary correct check in a month’s time in Bahrain,” added the Ferrari Staff Principal. “It was additionally a warm-up for the group within the storage. That was the only objective of right this moment.”
