Lewis Hamilton has explained why he is so 'invigorated' by his move to Ferrari as he made his first UK appearance for the squad at Formula 1's season launch event.
When Hamilton was put on the spot to sum up his high-profile move to the Scuderia in one word, the seven-time world champion used "invigorating", feeding off the energy from the 15,000 fans inside the arena that gave him the biggest reception of the night.
"The word that I'm thinking of is invigorating because I feel so full of life and everything is new," he said. "I'm so proud to be part of the team, something proud and exciting for me."
As Ferrari launches its actual 2025 F1 car in Maranello on Wednesday, the day after unveiling the SF-25's new livery, Hamilton further opened up on his 'revitalising' experience thus far.
At the age of 40, the Briton thought he had seen it all over two decades in F1. But having first jumped into a Ferrari F1 car for a filming day in January at Fiorano has further drilled home the idea that he needed a new challenge after a 12-year stint with Mercedes.
"I'm really conscious of the fact that there are only a handful of special first times in life, the first kiss, the first date, the first time of school, the first time in the job. I honestly thought that I'd had all my firsts and nothing was ever going to be new again," he explained in a video released by Ferrari.
"And given that I've raced for so long, even I'm surprised at just how much I still love what I do, and it felt so new.
"I remember putting my suit on, getting into the cockpit, and just the excitement that I had was very reminiscent of maybe the first time that I got to step in a Formula 1 car when I was like 21-years-old, 20 years ago. But this time was different, because I've always imagined what it would be like sitting in the cockpit surrounded by red."
He labelled the 2023 Ferrari SF-23 he drove that day as no other car he has ever driven in F1, even down to the vibrations of Ferrari's engine. He has since also sampled the 2024 cars at testing for Pirelli in Barcelona.
"It's nothing like the car that I had before over the last 10, 12, 17 years," he said. "It's unique in its own, and to feel the vibration of a Ferrari engine for the first time, wow. That's what I think ultimately put the biggest smile on my face.
"I'd always seen all the drivers that have come before me in red, and wondered how that would look on me. And it's a real honour to be able to wear this badge and to wear this suit. So I hope I swag it out and make it look good.
"I'd been waiting such a long time for it, so firing the car up, it's like such a new, uncharted journey, and it's the most exciting thing that's happened to me in as long as I can remember.
"I knew that I would see the tifosi on the bridge and to finally get to Turn 1 and see them down there, that was amazing to see. And meeting the team, I was blown away just by the reception and the passion of the people."
