Lewis Hamilton finally got his hands on his new F1 car after hitting the track in the SF-25 for the first time in a shakedown in Italy.
The British star, alongside Charles Leclerc, went behind the wheel just one day after being seen on the red carpet to celebrate Formula One’s 75th anniversary.
The Scuderia team were back on home soil on Wednesday for the first laps in their new car, with Leclerc completing the first laps on the day.
Hamilton then took over for his own run in the afternoon before speaking to media later in the day.
Just one day prior, Hamilton had heaped praise on the new car. ‘It’s nothing like the car that I’ve had before the last 10, 12, 17 years,’ Hamilton said.
‘It’s unique on its own. To feel the vibration of the Ferrari engine for the first time, wow! That’s what I think ultimately put the biggest smile on my face.
Lewis Hamilton finally got his hands on his new F1 car after hitting the track in the SF-25
The Ferrari star took to the tracks at the Fiorano Circuit on Wednesday afternoon
‘I’d always seen all the drivers who had come before me in red and how that would look on me, and it’s a real honour to wear this badge and suit.
‘I hope I get out and make it look good.’
Last month, Hamilton made his first outing for Ferrari in a test drive at their private Fiorano Circuit.
The seven-time world champion took a Ferrari Formula One SF-23 for a spin around the track in northern Italy.
A throng of fans gathered outside the track to catch a glimpse of their new speedster in action as he embarks on his £50million-per-year deal.
Meanwhile, an artist has revealed one of the gifts that Hamilton ordered for his former Mercedes team-mates after moving to Ferrari.
The Formula One legend commissioned six works of art as thank-you presents to his old colleagues at the Silver Arrows.
Hamilton, 40, is embarking on a new adventure with Ferrari after 12 trophy-laden years with Mercedes, picking up six World Drivers’ Championships.
The Scuderia team were back on home soil on Wednesday for the first laps in their new car
As Mail Sport has previously reported, Hamilton arranged for renowned motorsport artist Paul Oz to create a painting depicting his car at the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix. All 3,000 members of the team received a print.
Now artist Joel Clark has revealed that he, too, was contacted to sort a gift.
The hand-cut vinyl is titled ‘An Ode to Senna’ and shows Hamilton on his victory lap after the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix. The artwork is applied to an A1 Perspex panel