Hamilton makes first visit to Ferrari F1 factory ahead of testing debut

Lewis Hamilton is set to make his Ferrari track debut on 22 January at Fiorano Circuit, driving the F1-75 car from the 2022 Formula 1 season, Autosport understands.

Joining Charles Leclerc at the Scuderia for the upcoming campaign after spending the last 12 years at Mercedes, Hamilton went to Maranello on Monday morning to prepare for his maiden run in red.

Hamilton has been able to get acquainted with his new squad, in particular his new race engineer Riccardo Adami, who previously worked with Carlos Sainz.

His new seat was prepared ahead of the upcoming running, and the Briton made sure the adjustments he requested on the steering wheel were carried out.

Hamilton then had a first run on the simulator to get accustomed with his new environment and will work further on Tuesday to get ready for his first test day at Ferrari’s Fiorano Circuit.

“There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days,” Hamilton said on social media.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. I couldn’t be happier to realise that dream today.

“Today we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together.”

The high-profile signing’s debut has enthused the tifosi, Autosport understands, to the extent that hotels in Sassuolo are fully booked and Maranello mayor Luigi Zironi has requested stricter security measures from the police, notably regarding traffic near the factory and track.

On Wednesday, Hamilton will share the track with Leclerc ahead of more testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya later this month, with those plans yet to be confirmed.

Ferrari intends to use up its yearly 1000km of ‘Testing of Previous Cars’ allowed by F1’s new sporting regulations for current race drivers in 2025, benefitting its new hire.