Formula One titan Lewis Hamilton has expressed incredulity and excitement after taking his inaugural test drive in the Ferrari SF-25. This Ferrari F1 prodigy made its maiden appearance on the Fiorano track, marking a significant milestone in Hamilton’s career.
Hamilton’s experience with Ferrari isn’t entirely new, having previously had a taste of the SF-23 during private TPC (testing of previous car) sessions and engaging in Pirelli tyre tests using an adapted SF-24. However, Wednesday marked a moment of truth for the celebrated driver as he got to grips with his 2025 F1 Ferrari warrior, the SF-25.
Hamilton’s first encounter with the SF-25 came after his new teammate, Charles Leclerc, had the privilege of taking the vehicle for its initial spins. Leclerc reportedly completed approximately 30 laps before Hamilton took over for the afternoon session, adhering to filming day regulations that restrict the running to a 200km limit.
The SF-25’s introduction came hot on the heels of the F1 75 event held in London on Tuesday, where all ten teams unveiled their new liveries. Post his debut session in the SF-25, Hamilton was asked by Sky Italy to share his initial impressions about Ferrari’s latest challenger.
In his response, Hamilton remained somewhat guarded but positive, stating, “The car is good. It’s still early, I can’t say too much, but today we had no problems.” He also expressed his disbelief and excitement about driving his first Ferrari, saying, “I am living every moment intensely.”
Hamilton’s partnership with Leclerc, a product of the Ferrari Driver Academy and a veteran of seven seasons with the team, was another topic of discussion. Hamilton seemed to be enjoying this new team dynamic, commenting, “It’s great to work with Leclerc. I’m starting to learn how he works, and I’m doing my best to find the best feeling with the team.”
The transition to Ferrari has not been entirely smooth for Hamilton, who experienced a crash during a three-day Ferrari TPC test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, home of the Spanish Grand Prix. In a moment of levity, Hamilton made a light-hearted reference to the incident, saying he’s had to find the car’s limits quickly due to the limited time available.
Despite the hiccup, Hamilton remains optimistic about his journey with Ferrari. Acknowledging the long road and challenges ahead, he expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far, saying, “There’s still a long road ahead of us and a lot of challenges, for sure, but I think we’ve covered as much as we could possibly cover in the small time we’ve had so far.”
In summary, Hamilton’s early days with Ferrari are marked with enthusiasm, camaraderie, and a few challenges. However, the champion driver’s excitement for this new chapter is palpable, setting the stage for an enthralling F1 season.