The motorsport world witnessed an unusual sight when Lewis Hamilton, renowned for his 7 World Drivers’ Championship titles and 103 Grand Prix victories, arrived in Maranello to test a «Ferrari» machine for the very first time. According to unofficial estimates, around 4500 fans gathered at the Fiorano Circuit to catch a glimpse of the British driver adapting to a car that, until recently, stood as a symbol of rivalry rather than alliance. Observers reported that Hamilton’s initial laps were cautious, possibly due to early-morning fog and moderate track temperatures not exceeding 12°C. He reportedly mentioned through team intermediaries that this session was intended as a simple introduction to the cockpit, rather than a quest for record-breaking times. You can place online bets in Nigeria and follow Formula 1 predictions for the new season, all from the comfort of your device. For more details about such apps, visit beton.ng.
Public curiosity soared when news broke that Hamilton would pilot the 2023 SF-23, a chassis permitted under regulations that allow testing with at least a two-year-old model. Historically, «Ferrari» itself holds 242 Grand Prix wins in the Formula-1 record books, while Hamilton has garnered 196 podium finishes overall. This collaboration represented a curious blend of stats: a champion revered for conquering 33 circuits worldwide, stepping into a machine produced by a team with 16 Constructors’ Championships under its belt. Many fans in attendance brought banners displaying the number 103, referencing Hamilton’s total wins, alongside older «Ferrari» insignias showing the Scuderia’s first triumph back in 1951.
It was noted by onlookers that Hamilton’s mother, Carmen Larbalestier, made an appearance to lend moral support. She was seen chatting with team personnel, while the driver performed systems checks and studied the steering wheel’s more than 20 buttons and rotary dials. Engineers, wearing headsets labeled with code names for each corner of the track, reportedly told journalists that these sessions aimed to familiarize Hamilton with seat fitting, pedal positioning, and the routine of a typical «Ferrari» test day.
The morning started with drizzle, prompting the team to install rain tires on the SF-23. Nonetheless, the track dried out quicker than anticipated. Mechanics soon swapped the full-wet Pirelli rubber for medium-compound slicks, allowing Hamilton to take more aggressive lines through Fiorano’s 1.8-kilometer layout. Witnesses claimed that he locked the front wheels at least twice, creating noticeable flat spots on the left-front tire. Team sources indicated that these minor mistakes carried no real consequence, as the true purpose was to help the driver get a feel for throttle mapping, brake bias, and kinetic energy recovery settings.
Despite the unofficial nature of the test, excitement was palpable. In the 74-year history of Formula-1, the partnership between a seven-time champion and the sport’s oldest team had rarely felt so paradoxical. There was no direct rivalry to settle that day; still, the sense of history in the making could be felt through camera lenses capturing every minor detail, from the new helmet design (still predominantly yellow) to the crowd chanting in Italian to greet the newcomer.
Interestingly, no official statements were released at that very moment. Insiders suggested that the team wanted to compile complete feedback from both drivers before offering the press any definitive conclusions. Nevertheless, fans gleaned enough from trackside vantage points to confirm that Hamilton’s times did not appear drastically off the pace for a familiarization run, even though precise lap charts remained under wraps.
