Lewis Hamilton has posted his first picture dressed in the iconic Ferrari colours on the eve of what is set to be his maiden test for the famous Italian team.
The 40-year-old is expected to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari for the first time in his trophy-laden career at the constructor’s test track at Fiorano on Wednesday.
Hamilton has enjoyed a whirlwind 48 hours at the Italian team’s base in Maranello after meeting up with his new colleagues following his blockbuster transfer from Mercedes.
He posted a picture on his social media accounts captioned “FIRST TIME IN RED” which attracted 1.5 million likes within an hour of it being posted on Instagram.
The British driver is due, weather dependant, to get behind the wheel of one of Ferrari’s recent F1 cars at the team’s private test circuit on Wednesday.
Hamilton, who is bidding to become the first driver to win eight world titles, said on Monday: “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 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 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.”
Hamilton makes the move to Ferrari after 12 seasons at Mercedes – a transfer perceived to be the biggest in the sport’s history – and his first race for his new team will be in Melbourne on March 16.
He is due to take the wraps off his car at Ferrari’s season launch alongside team-mate Charles Leclerc on February 19 in Maranello – a day after the F1 season launch event at The O2 arena – with testing to follow in Bahrain the following week.
Hamilton’s first day at Ferrari in photos
Hamilton with Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna and F1 team principal Frederic Vasseur
Hamilton speaking to Ferrari chair John Elkann
Hamilton met members of the Ferrari F1 team on his tour of the factory at Maranello (All photos credit: Scuderia Ferrari HP Press Office
Hamilton set for ‘total immersion programme’
Shortly after Hamilton’s post on social media on Monday, Ferrari provided more detail on how the Brit had spent his first day in Maranello.
A team statement said: “Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari adventure is now under way. Early this morning, the seven-time world champion arrived at the team’s Maranello headquarters at via Enzo Ferrari 27.
Take a look at what Lewis Hamilton got up to on his first day at Ferrari
“From there he went to the Fiorano track where, against the backdrop of Enzo Ferrari’s house, in the small square now named after the only other seven-time Formula 1 world champion, Michael Schumacher, he was met by team principal, Fred Vasseur and Ferrari chief executive, Benedetto Vigna.
In an inclusive interview with Sky Sports F1’s Craig Slater, Fred Vasseur shares Ferrari’s team goals for the new season, his hopes for new arrival Lewis Hamilton and the team’s challenge to beat Max Verstappen
“The traditional “first day” photos were taken there and even the weather helped to make Lewis feel at home, with some typically British overcast skies and drizzle. Also on hand was a Ferrari F40, Lewis’ favourite supercar.
“Next on Lewis’ agenda was a short visit to the Fiorano house and the pit garage, with Vasseur and Vigna, including a look at the famous office, from where Enzo Ferrari would watch his team at work. Hamilton then returned to the Scuderia HQ, where he met the management team and Piero Ferrari, before embarking on a daylong total immersion programme, visiting all the various departments to get to know the team.
“The work continues tomorrow with more technical meetings and briefings as preparations get under way for what will be a very busy season.”
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