Lewis Hamilton’s Formula One journey has taken an thrilling new flip as he embarks on preseason testing with Ferrari.
The seven-time world champion, who left Mercedes after 11 years, is now behind the wheel of the long-lasting pink automobile, No. 44, marking the beginning of his new chapter with the Scuderia.
The 40-year-old British driver, who clinched six of his seven titles with Mercedes, made his debut for Ferrari on Wednesday on the Bahrain circuit.
F1’s official social media responded with a easy but important message: “Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari driver,” accompanied by a coronary heart emoji.
Hamilton joins Ferrari for the 2025 season, pairing up with Charles Leclerc, who has been with the staff since 2019.
The three-day take a look at in Bahrain, which started Wednesday, provides Hamilton his first probability to gauge Ferrari’s efficiency towards the competitors, together with teammate Leclerc’s lap occasions.
This take a look at, the one one earlier than the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, units the stage for a extremely anticipated 24-race season.
Alongside Hamilton, six different drivers will make their season debuts, including to the joy surrounding the upcoming marketing campaign.
The buzz surrounding Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari is palpable.
Though he’s pushed the SF-25 for a filming day and donned Ferrari’s pink overalls in older vehicles, this marks his first official session with the staff in direct competitors.
The final time Hamilton skilled such a shift was when he joined Mercedes from McLaren in 2013.
Traditionally not a fan of testing resulting from its repetitive nature, Hamilton has expressed real pleasure about his new enterprise.
He’s been in excessive spirits since arriving in Italy, joking about indulging in pizza whereas claiming to really feel fitter and extra energized than ever as he targets a file eighth championship.
Meanwhile, reigning champion Max Verstappen may also be in motion, as he prepares for his pursuit of a fifth consecutive title.
Verstappen will take a look at the primary Red Bull since star designer Adrian Newey’s departure to Aston Martin. Alongside Verstappen, New Zealand’s Liam Lawson, who has stood in for a number of races, will share driving duties.
Other rookies becoming a member of the motion embody Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes’ 18-year-old Italian recruit, who will drive alongside George Russell; Australian Jack Doohan at Alpine; Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto at Sauber; Frenchman Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls; and Briton Oliver Bearman at Haas.
While Doohan and Bearman are each rookies, they’ve already made their race debuts.
Ferrari’s former driver, Carlos Sainz, will purpose to rack up laps for Williams as he seeks to make an affect within the 2025 season.
Fans can attend the take a look at on Thursday and Friday, with the Sakhir circuit additionally internet hosting Bahrain’s grand prix in April.
Last 12 months’s season opener, the race has been rescheduled this 12 months to accommodate Ramadan.
Source: www.dailysabah.com