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Watch as Lewis Hamilton has first test in Ferrari F1 car
Lewis Hamilton said his first test in a Ferrari Formula 1 car was "awe-inspiring" and "one of the best feelings of my life".
The 40-year-old seven-time champion completed 30 laps of Ferrari's Fiorano test track in cold, damp conditions on Wednesday in a 2023 Ferrari F1 car.
Hamilton said: "When I started the car up and drove through that garage door, I had the biggest smile on my face.
"It reminded me of the very first time I tested a Formula 1 car. It was such an exciting and special moment, and here I am, almost 20 years later, feeling those emotions all over again.
"I already knew from the outside how passionate the Ferrari family is, from everyone in the team to the tifosi [fans].
"But to now witness it first hand as a Ferrari driver has been awe-inspiring. That passion runs through their veins and you can't help but be energised by it.
"I'm so grateful for the love I have felt from everyone in Maranello this week, we have a lot of work to do but I can't wait to get started."
Finishing his driving just after 11:00 local time (10:00 UK), Hamilton handed the car over to team-mate Charles Leclerc, who competed 14 laps in the afternoon.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur said: "As is the case every year, the first time you go out on track is a bit like the first day back at school and quite an emotional feeling, especially today as it was Lewis' first day as part of the team. Welcoming a new driver is always an important moment.
"Maybe today was less special for Charles, but it was good to see him fit, relaxed and keen to go racing again."
Hamilton's run in the SF-23 – the most recent car he is allowed to drive under F1's testing restrictions – is part of his acclimatisation work with his new team.
His test follows two days of work at the Ferrari factory in Maranello, of which the Fiorano track is a part.
Hamilton is also expected to test at Spain's Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in the coming weeks before experiencing the team's 2025 model at its launch on 19 February.
Hamilton will be limited to a total of 1,000km (621 miles) of what is known as testing of previous cars running by F1's regulations.
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Fans gathered near the track to watch Hamilton explore an F1 Ferrari for the first time
The test will help him learn the way the Ferrari engine operates and allow him to build trust and working practices with his new race engineer Riccardo Adami and the rest of the team.
Adami worked with Carlos Sainz for the past four years and before that four-time champion Sebastian Vettel.
Hamilton has driven only Mercedes engines throughout his 18-year F1 career.
Modern F1 engines are 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrids with sophisticated energy recovery systems and complicated control processes, many of which are operated by the driver in the cockpit.
Although the multiple power and performance modes of the various engines are all designed to do similar functions, each manufacturer has different software and operating procedures, with drivers requiring time to become familiarised.
The test was held behind closed doors. It has drawn significant attention and there were crowds of fans standing on the bridge overlooking Fiorano for a glimpse of the team's new driver.
After finishing driving, Hamilton walked over to wave at the group of fans who had gathered outside the track to grab their first glimpse of the team's new driver.
His mother, Carmen Larbalestier, was with him taking photographs of the day.
Hamilton's first official public appearance as a Ferrari driver will be on 18 February at the launch of the F1 season at the O2 in London, which all the teams and drivers are required to attend.
Three days of official pre-season testing in Bahrain will start on 26 February, before the start of the season at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 14-16 March.
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