Hamilton in no doubt Ferrari switch was the right move

Lewis Hamilton has been left in little question that he has made the proper determination to affix Ferrari.

The seven-time world champion was talking after his first drive in Ferrari’s challenger for 2025 at a shakedown run on the staff’s take a look at observe in Fiorano.

Hamilton, who lit up the F1 75 livery launch in London’s O2 Enviornment on Tuesday night, revealed he has tried to combine himself into the Italian staff by dwelling in his motorhome, which is parked on the staff’s Maranello manufacturing unit.

When requested if he thought he had made the proper transfer having pushed this season’s Ferrari, he mentioned: “100%. I haven’t got the slightest doubt or query in my head. I am in the proper place on the proper time and it is a fantastic privilege to be right here, to affix this staff and to work with everybody to attempt to construct and proceed the nice historic custom of this staff.

“Day by day has been thrilling. Even final evening, strolling on that stage [at the F1 75 livery event] wearing pink was one thing completely new for me.

“To have the ability to meet and expertise the followers is one thing very totally different doing it as an opponent or doing it as a Ferrari driver.

“To start a journey along with them and the staff is one thing that left me speechless.”

Hamilton’s wave of positivity comes after a winter of readjusting to life with the Italian staff. The 40-year-old has been rejuvenated by the transfer and is now adjusting to the brand new problem.

When requested how totally different driving the Ferrari was to his previous Mercedes vehicles, he added: “Ferrari may be very totally different. From the second you placed on the swimsuit and enter the storage, placed on the helmet and enter the cockpit, you are feeling that unbelievable ardour.

“It is all thrilling and thrilling. It has an unbelievable historical past with this staff, and as a child it was a dream for me to have the ability to race for Ferrari, and I nonetheless pinch myself to have the ability to consider that it is actually taking place. I’ve so many expectations.”

Hamilton had beforehand pushed a 2022 Ferrari at Fiorano in January earlier than taking a 2023 F1 automotive round Barcelona throughout a three-day personal take a look at, where he also crashed.

Nevertheless, in his brief spell on the staff he has mentioned he has seen sufficient to know they’ve “all of the components to win”.

Hamilton mentioned: “From seeing the fervour, all the things beneath one roof, which I’ve by no means skilled earlier than, this staff has completely each ingredient to win.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Picture by: Getty Photographs

“However we’re additionally conscious now we have to proceed to work. We have now to enhance and elevate in all places – not in all places however in sure areas, and I’ve little question that we are able to do this.

“I’ve genuinely beloved each day I’ve been right here. It is a spot you genuinely do not actually wish to depart within the day. All the things’s right here. Even my motorhome is right here so I do not ever depart!”

Hamilton was joined by his team-mate Charles Leclerc, who mentioned the Brit was becoming a member of the staff “on the proper time”.

He added: “Lewis becoming a member of the staff has been a giant increase and has been wonderful in so many areas. I really feel just like the staff may be very calm and clear in what’s the path to work in and never being affected by all the things occurring within the staff.

“We had a superb automotive nevertheless it wanted extra efficiency, and that’s the place we targeted on this automotive. We targeted on small issues in each space.”

Hamilton was additionally requested about his new team-mate, who joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016. He mentioned: “Charles may be very embedded on this staff. He’s very quick and I’m fully conscious of that.

“It isn’t going to be straightforward to beat him, however we are going to work collectively and have some nice races, I hope.”