It could have been an awkward start to his Ferrari career, but Lewis Hamilton deftly avoided an unusual injury scare ahead of his much-anticipated debut with the iconic Italian team. With his first race in Ferrari red set for the 2025 Formula 1 season opener in Melbourne, Hamilton had a close call with the ground after nearly slipping off his parked F1 car during a promotional event in Milan.
Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion, along with his new teammate Charles Leclerc, took to the streets of Milan to thrill the passionate tifosi, Ferrari’s dedicated fanbase. As he acknowledged the crowd, Hamilton narrowly escaped a fall that could have potentially jeopardized his debut race.
In a video that surfaced online, Hamilton can be seen perched on the nose of a Ferrari F1 car, saluting the crowd. Upon taking a step, he misstepped, his foot making contact with the top of the tire, causing a slide. However, the seasoned veteran managed to land safely, with his feet planted either side of the tire, before his Ferrari colleagues guided him away.
This close shave could have resulted in a rather unceremonious start to Hamilton’s new chapter with Ferrari, potentially causing him to miss his debut race. However, the quick footwork ensured he left the scene unscathed, ready to start his Ferrari journey in style at the Australian Grand Prix.
Hamilton, who has taken the top step of the podium at the Australian Grand Prix twice in 2008 and 2015, is expected to face fierce competition in his debut race for Ferrari. According to Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz, there are others who may steal the limelight in Melbourne, including Hamilton’s Italian successor at Mercedes.
Kravitz highlighted Mercedes’ strong testing performance, suggesting that George Russell, Hamilton’s replacement, could be a podium contender. He also noted that the Mercedes car’s speed could pose a threat to McLaren, possibly even outpacing Ferrari at the early stages of the season.
The attention may be on Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, but Kravitz suggested that the spotlight could shift to Kimi Antonelli, the young Italian driver at Mercedes. Antonelli, an 18-year-old making his own waves in Formula 1, could potentially steal the show in Melbourne.
As the Formula 1 2025 season gets underway, all eyes will be on Hamilton in his new Ferrari avatar, but it’s clear that the competition is heating up, and the podium positions are anyone’s game.
