Hamilton makes Ferrari F1 test debut

Lewis Hamilton has begun his first test in a Ferrari Formula 1 car.

Following two days of work at Ferrari's Maranello base meeting people and speaking to engineers, Hamilton took to the Fiorano test track at 9.16am local time on Wednesday for his first run behind the wheel of a Ferrari.

Hamilton is driving a 2023 Ferrari, which is the most recent version that teams are permitted to run under F1's sporting regulations.

Will Hamilton have an unhappy Ferrari fate like Vettel, Alonso and Raikkonen? Get early access to Mark Hughes' take on that via The Race Members' Club on Patreon now

The 'testing of previous cars' rules allow competitors to make use of cars that are at least two years old, which means that the SF-23 could be rolled out for Hamilton's first test.

However, as Hamilton is one of Ferrari’s current race drivers, he is limited in his mileage total for the year.

Teams are allowed a total of 20 days of old car running across the whole season, with just four days and a maximum of 1000km for drivers entered in the championship.

Hamilton's run in the 2023 Ferrari is important because, unlike other drivers who have changed teams for 2025, the seven-time F1 champion was not able to participate in the post-season Abu Dhabi tyre test last December.

While Hamilton's eventual 2025 car will be different to what he is driving on Wednesday, the run will allow him to get comfortable with some key factors such as his seating position, the steering wheel controls and general feel of the car.

It also gives Hamilton a first opportunity to work with his engineering team in a garage set-up to build those bonds, and will allow him to acclimatise to the Ferrari engine - as Hamilton has only known Mercedes power in his entire F1 career.

Hamilton also released images of his new-for-2025 helmet design on Wednesday morning ahead of his first laps in a Ferrari.