The Lewis Hamilton-Ferrari era has officially begun—but not without early controversy. In his first testing session with Ferrari’s SF-23 chassis, Hamilton crashed into the barriers at Turn 12 of the Barcelona circuit, cutting his session short and sparking immediate criticism.
Despite the incident, Hamilton has finally addressed fans, making it clear that he’s fully focused on his debut season with the Scuderia.
“First race can’t come soon enough.”
While Hamilton remained silent immediately after the crash, he completed the remainder of his testing schedule in Fiorano, experiencing Ferrari machinery under various weather conditions.
Hamilton’s Crash Sparks Criticism, But Ferrari Stays Silent
Reports indicate that Hamilton was unable to participate in the afternoon session following the crash, as Ferrari’s crew rushed to repair the SF-23 chassis. However, the team has not publicly commented on the incident, and Ferrari executives appear more focused on Hamilton’s presence than his early struggles.
Piero Ferrari Praises Hamilton’s Elegance: “I Don’t Remember Any Driver Being So Impeccable”
Ferrari’s vice chairman, Piero Ferrari, was quick to defend Hamilton—but not for his driving. Instead, he lavished praise on the seven-time world champion for his impeccable style and presence on his first day in Maranello.
“I don’t remember any other drivers being so elegant on their first day at Ferrari. An impeccable suit, a tie, a dapper figure. We executives, for example, were without ties.”
While the crash may have dominated headlines, Ferrari appears to be fully embracing Hamilton’s arrival, with massive fan support flooding Maranello during his first official visit.
Can Hamilton Bring Ferrari Back to Glory?
The 2025 season is shaping up to be Ferrari’s most pivotal campaign in years. With Hamilton and Charles Leclerc leading the charge, expectations are sky-high for Ferrari to finally end its championship drought.
With pre-season testing in Bahrain set for February 26-28, all eyes will be on whether Ferrari’s SF-25 challenger can give Hamilton the tools to fight for his record-breaking eighth world title.
One thing is certain—this is just the beginning of an electrifying new chapter in Formula 1 history.