Following two days of conferences and introductions, Lewis Hamilton lastly received to do what he was employed to do at Ferrari.
Climb into the cockpit of a Method 1 automobile and push it to the restrict.
Hamilton climbed into the SF-23, the group’s challenger in the course of the 2023 season, at Ferrari’s take a look at observe on Wednesday and put the machine by way of its paces. Below F1’s Testing of Earlier Automobiles (TPC) rules, Hamilton was capable of get a really feel for Ferrari equipment whereas driving a automobile utilized in a earlier season.
In a post-session report, Hamilton described the day as “among the finest emotions of my life.”
“I’ve been fortunate sufficient to have many firsts in my profession, from the primary take a look at to the primary race, podium, win and championship, so I wasn’t positive what number of extra firsts I had however driving a Scuderia Ferrari HP automobile for the primary time this morning, was among the finest emotions of my life,” stated Hamilton. “Once I began the automobile up and drove by way of that storage door, I had the largest smile on my face. It jogged my memory of the very first time I examined a Method 1 automobile, it was such an thrilling and particular second, and right here I’m, virtually twenty years later, feeling these feelings over again.”
Hamilton accomplished 30 laps in his session, protecting 89 kilometers. Below TPC rules vehicles are solely allowed to run for a complete of 1,000 kilometers throughout a single group’s drivers.
“I already knew from the surface how passionate the Ferrari household is, from everybody within the group to the Tifosi! However to now witness it firsthand as a Ferrari driver has been awe-inspiring,” added Hamilton. “That zeal runs by way of their veins and you’ll’t assist however be energised by it. I’m so grateful for the love I’ve felt from everybody in Maranello this week, now we have a whole lot of work to do however I can’t wait to get began.”
Whereas Hamilton’s session within the morning was extra of an introductory session for the legendary driver to Ferrari equipment, Charles Leclerc’s afternoon session was a a lot totally different program. In keeping with the group Leclerc accomplished 43 laps, “because the SF-23 holds no secrets and techniques for him.”
“The primary day again within the automobile is at all times an ideal feeling after the vacations. It’s good to be again on observe, to see that so many followers got here out to observe us. Feeling all this pleasure surrounding the group could be very motivating. It was a great day, although it was raining just a little bit once I was driving,” stated Leclerc.
“In fact it was good to have the ability to see Lewis driving his first laps in a Ferrari, which was a particular second for the group and for him,” added Leclerc. “Now I’m trying ahead to being again within the automobile subsequent week and to actually begin working onerous for the approaching season.”
Each classes got here below the watchful eyes of Ferrari’s management, together with Workforce Principal Frederic Vasseur and Ferrari Vice President Piero Ferrari.
“As is the case yearly, the primary time you exit on observe is a bit like the primary day again at college and fairly an emotional feeling, particularly at present because it was Lewis’ first day as a part of the group,” stated Vasseur. “Welcoming a brand new driver is at all times an essential second. Perhaps at present was much less particular for Charles, but it surely was good to see him match, relaxed and eager to go racing once more.
“As for the technical aspect, Charles and Lewis did their laps in not the most effective climate, however they received again within the swing of issues and immersed themselves within the observe surroundings previous to the primary correct take a look at in a month’s time in Bahrain,” added the Ferrari Workforce Principal. “It was additionally a warm-up for the group within the storage. That was the only real function of at present.”