Lewis Hamilton is set to test this year’s Ferrari car next week at the team’s F1 season launch event – as he continues his acclimatisation in scarlet red.
The seven-time F1 world champion, 40, received a rapturous reception in Maranello last month, as his two-year contract at Ferrari began. Hamilton received a tour of Ferrari HQ, drove the 2023 SF-23 car around the team’s in-house Fiorano circuit and greeted thousands of fans watching on in the industrial Italian town. Hamilton completed 30 laps of the Fiorano circuit, clocking up 89km of driving, as he looked to dial in with the car’s handling and characteristics.
The Brit, who spent 12 years and won six world championships at Mercedes, also took part in a behind-closed-doors test for Ferrari in Barcelona at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – home of the Spanish Grand Prix – and a Pirelli tyre test at the same circuit last week.
Ferrari had to alter plans after Hamilton crashed the 2023 SF-23 car in their private test. The 40-year-old was said to be “absolutely fine” after the incident. Hamilton continued his testing schedule with a Pirelli tyre test last Tuesday and Wednesday in Barcelona, as part of the tyre manufacturer’s 2026 development programme. He trailed teammate Charles Leclerc in the lap times on the final day, though any times are largely irrelevant due to the different run programmes each driver was on.
Hamilton is next scheduled to take to the track on Wednesday 19 February, when Ferrari launch and unveil their 2025 SF-25 car, with the British driver set to “shakedown” the car at the team’s private Fiorano circuit afterwards.
Hamilton is also expected to be present for the 10-team season launch, F1 75 Live, at the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday 18 February. Ferrari officially launch their 2025 car a day later, on Wednesday 19 February.
The official three-day pre-season test takes place in Bahrain from 26-28 February, with the first race of the 2025 season taking place a fortnight later in Australia on 16 March.
Hamilton spoke glowingly about his first experience in a Ferrari car, describing it as “one of the best feelings of his life.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to have many firsts in my career, from the first test to the first race, podium, win and championship,” he said.
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“I wasn’t sure how many more firsts I had but driving a Scuderia Ferrari HP car for the first time this morning was one of the best feelings of my life.
“When I started the car up and drove through that garage door, I had the biggest smile on my face.
“It reminded me of the very first time I tested a Formula 1 car – it was such an exciting and special moment and here I am, almost 20 years later, feeling those emotions all over again.”
Hamilton is looking to claim a record-breaking eighth F1 world title this year, which would take him ahead of Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher.
The Briton won six of his world titles with Mercedes, the other coming with McLaren in 2008.
