Exclusive:Ferrari announce major Hamilton DEBUT update after…..read more
Ferrari announce major Hamilton DEBUT update after…..read more
Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, has provided a significant update on Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated debut with the Italian team. The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion is set to join Ferrari in 2025 as he seeks to capture an eighth world title, a feat that would make him the most successful driver in the sport’s history. However, fans have been waiting eagerly to see Hamilton behind the wheel of the famous red car, as he has yet to make his first appearance for Ferrari, even though other drivers have already tested with their new teams during post-season sessions.
Hamilton’s delayed debut is due to a combination of factors, one being his ongoing commitments with Mercedes. Despite having a contract with Ferrari for 2025, the British driver has remained loyal to Mercedes, fulfilling sponsor obligations and wrapping up his farewell tour with the team during the off-season. This has meant that Hamilton missed out on participating in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, a prime opportunity for new drivers to get familiar with their new teams.
However, Vasseur has now provided a potential timeline for when we might finally see Hamilton in Ferrari colors. According to the Ferrari chief, Hamilton could get his first taste of the Ferrari car as early as next month, ahead of the pre-season test in Bahrain in February. As part of a programme called the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC), Hamilton is permitted to drive older Ferrari cars before the official testing sessions. Vasseur noted that while this opportunity is available, it is highly dependent on weather conditions, as January at Ferrari’s Fiorano track is often unpredictable.
Vasseur also acknowledged the emotional weight of this moment for Hamilton, who has been eyeing this milestone for nearly 20 years. While it will undoubtedly be a special occasion, Vasseur emphasized the importance of maintaining focus, saying that it will be crucial for Hamilton to approach the experience with a clear mindset, especially after what is expected to be an emotional first lap in the Ferrari car.
The winter period will be busy for Ferrari, with a series of important events lined up. The team will begin the first test days under the TPC programme, working closely with Pirelli. Following that, the official start of the 2024 Formula 1 season will kick off on February 18th with the launch of the championship. Ferrari’s car launch is scheduled for the following day, February 19th, after which the team will head straight to Bahrain for the first official pre-season test. Vasseur described the sequence as “tough” due to the short preparation time, with only four weeks at the factory before the first race of the season.
Despite the tight timeline, Vasseur expressed his confidence in Ferrari’s ability to get everything ready, acknowledging that the team’s focus would be on hitting the ground running in 2024 before shifting attention to their 2025 preparations with Hamilton. For now, it remains to be seen exactly when Hamilton will make his official debut in the Ferrari car, but the groundwork is being laid for a historic collaboration between the driver and the iconic Scuderia team.
As anticipation grows for Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari, fans can expect the coming months to be full of excitement as both the driver and the team prepare for a new chapter in their F1 journey.
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