What Hamilton found so “invigorating” from fresh start at Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton has defined why he’s so ‘invigorated’ by his transfer to Ferrari as he made his first UK look for the squad at Components 1’s season launch occasion.

When Hamilton was placed on the spot to sum up his high-profile transfer to the Scuderia in a single phrase, the seven-time world champion used “invigorating”, feeding off the vitality from the 15,000 followers within the area that gave him the largest reception of the night time.

“The phrase that I am considering of is invigorating as a result of I really feel so vigorous and the whole lot is new,” he stated. “I am so proud to be a part of the staff, one thing proud and thrilling for me.”

As Ferrari launches its precise 2025 F1 automotive in Maranello on Wednesday, the day after unveiling the SF-25’s new livery, Hamilton additional opened up on his ‘revitalising’ expertise up to now.

On the age of 40, the Briton thought he had seen it throughout twenty years in F1. However having first jumped right into a Ferrari F1 automotive for a filming day in January at Fiorano has additional drilled residence the concept that he wanted a brand new problem after a 12-year stint with Mercedes.

“I am actually aware of the truth that there are solely a handful of particular first instances in life, the primary kiss, the primary date, the primary time of faculty, the primary time within the job. I actually I assumed that I might had all my firsts and nothing was ever going to be new once more,” he defined in a video launched by Ferrari. “And on condition that I’ve raced for therefore lengthy, even I am shocked at simply how a lot I nonetheless love what I do, and it felt so new.

“I bear in mind placing my go well with on, entering into the cockpit, and simply the thrill that I had was very paying homage to perhaps the primary time that I received to step in a Components 1 automotive once I was like 21 years outdated, 20 years in the past. However this time was totally different, as a result of I’ve all the time imagined what it might be like sitting within the cockpit surrounded by crimson.”

He labelled the 2023 Ferrari SF-23 he drove that day as no different automotive he has ever pushed in F1, even all the way down to the vibrations of Ferrari’s engine. He has since additionally sampled the 2024 vehicles at testing for Pirelli in Barcelona.

“It is nothing just like the automotive that I had earlier than during the last 10, 12, 17 years,” he stated. “It is distinctive in its personal, and to really feel the vibration of a Ferrari engine for the primary time, wow. That is what I believe finally put the largest smile on my face.

“I might all the time seen all of the drivers which have come earlier than me in crimson, and puzzled how that may look on me. And it is an actual honour to have the ability to put on this badge and to put on this go well with. So I hope I swag it out and make it look good.

“I might been ready such a very long time for it, so firing the automotive up, it is like such a brand new, uncharted journey, and it is probably the most thrilling factor that is occurred to me in so long as I can bear in mind. I knew that I might see the tifosi on the bridge and to lastly get to Flip 1 and see them down there, that was superb to see. And assembly the staff, I used to be blown away simply by the reception and the fervour of the folks.”

Images from the Ferrari Shakedown