Damon Hill hails 'great Lewis Hamilton moment during Ferrari F1 test debut in Fiorano

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Lewis Hamilton completed his first laps in a Ferrari Formula 1 car on Wednesday morning. He drove the 2023 machinery, as permitted under the rules.

The British driver’s test took place at Fiorano, Ferrari's private track. He took to the circuit just after 9am local time, adopting a cautious approach in damp and misty conditions. More than a thousand fans watched Lewis Hamilton despite the unfavourable weather. They've clearly been looking forward to this occasion for months.

Indeed, Maranello's mayor declared 'a state of emergency', requesting extra police officers to cope with the 'onslaught' of fans. All the hotels in the area were booked up.

Lewis Hamilton completed 90km, just under a third of an F1 race distance. He's capped at 1,000 for the year in TPC (testing previous cars) outings.

This is just the beginning of an extensive programme designed to get him up to speed before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. The British driver will also drive the Ferrari in Barcelona, home of the Spanish GP.

Damon Hill reacts to Lewis Hamilton climbing into Ferrari car for the first time
Much of the footage to emerge from Wednesday's landmark test was captured by journalists and fans trackside. But Ferrari also released an official video.

It shows Hamilton leaving Enzo Ferrari's home, which overlooks the circuit, in his racesuit. He then arrives at the garage, where he puts on his new yellow helmet, climbs into the cockpit and crawls out of the pits. One would imagine that this was an emotional moment. Hamilton has dreamed of the Maranello team for 20 years, according to his new team boss Frederic Vasseur.

Sharing his thoughts on Instagram in response to a video from the Ferrari garage, 1996 Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill wrote: "That must feel amazing."

Hill, who spent his entire F1 career with British teams—including a title-winning tenure at Williams, and later stints with Arrows and Jordan—seems to recognize the significance of Lewis Hamilton's first steps into Ferrari territory. Much like Hill's own connection to British motorsport, Hamilton has spent his career rooted in the UK, operating out of McLaren's Woking headquarters and later Mercedes' Brackley base. Transitioning to Ferrari, with its deep Italian heritage and operations centered in Maranello, marks a dramatic cultural shift for the seven-time world champion.

Hill isn't just an occasional commentator on Hamilton's move. Although no longer part of the Sky Sports F1 broadcast team, he has been closely following the buzz surrounding Hamilton's arrival at Ferrari. His reaction to Hamilton's debut in Ferrari overalls on Tuesday evening underscored the sheer magnitude of this driver transfer—likely one of the most significant in Formula 1 history.

Hamilton's initial lap times at Ferrari offer context for his first test session
The numbers from Hamilton's first Ferrari outing at Fiorano have now surfaced, providing a snapshot of his early progress. On average, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion clocked laps around the 1:00.00 mark. This put him a few seconds off the pace set by his teammate Charles Leclerc, who had previously driven the SF-23 at Fiorano before the 2023 season. It also left him some distance from Michael Schumacher's long-standing record at the track, a blistering 55.999.

However, these times were never intended to be competitive benchmarks. The test was conducted under damp and foggy conditions, with a primary focus on familiarizing Lewis Hamilton with Ferrari's cockpit, controls, and team dynamics rather than chasing lap records. For the seven-time champion, it was more about adapting to a completely new environment and building rapport with his engineers than showcasing raw speed.

Damon Hill's enthusiasm for the British driver’s journey to the Maranello team is shared by fans and experts alike, as they eagerly watch this legendary driver take on what could be the most challenging—and potentially rewarding—chapter of his storied career.

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