The moment F1 fans, especially the tifosi, have been eagerly waiting for has finally arrived. Hamilton’s First Laps with Ferrari took place on January 21, marking a historic day for motorsport enthusiasts.
From early morning, fans gathered at Fiorano, some even crossing barriers to catch a closer glimpse of one of the best F1 drivers in history driving for the most successful F1 team of all time. Legendary names like Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda, and Sebastian Vettel exemplify Ferrari’s winning pedigree.
As Vettel once said,
Even if they say they’re not, everyone is a Ferrari fan.
The seven-time F1 World Champion stepped into the SF-23, the same car that won only one race in 2023—the Singapore GP victory of Carlos Sainz. Hamilton sported a yellow helmet reminiscent of his idol, Ayrton Senna. Despite the cold, cloudy weather, the Brit drove with a smile on Ferrari’s iconic Fiorano track.
Hamilton completed 30 laps in various stints, mostly using wets, but switched to hard demonstration tires for his final run. His laps were a mix of fast and slow runs, occasionally locking up and even performing practice starts.
At the end of Hamilton’s First Laps with Ferrari, the former McLaren and Mercedes driver showcased a heartwarming gesture, stepping out to greet the fans who had been cheering him on throughout his runs with the SF-23.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
Business Decisions
Initially, the idea of Hamilton—long seen as a fierce Ferrari rival since his F1 debut in 2007—driving for the Italian team seemed odd. The cultural and language differences, combined with the fact that he’d never raced with a Ferrari engine, raised questions. However, his arrival has brought significant advantages for both the driver and the team. For the 2025 F1 season, Hamilton has surrounded himself with familiar faces.
Global communication specialist Jo Livingston, who previously collaborated with Hamilton at the PR agency Freuds, has now joined his team, along with legal director Andin Fonyonga.
They join a trusted group that includes Ellen Kolby Hansen, who has been part of Hamilton’s journey since his McLaren days, serving as his liaison. Leading the operation is Marc Hynes, a former racing driver and one of Hamilton’s closest and most trusted advisors.
The latest addition to the team is Angela Cullen, Hamilton’s longtime physiotherapist from Mercedes, who played a key role during six of his seven championship victories. With a support network of familiar and trusted individuals working behind the scenes, Hamilton can focus on building new relationships within Ferrari.
Will this driver-team combination be enough to bring Ferrari back to the top of the F1 standings? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, stay tuned to Formula 1 news for the latest rumors and updates.