Incredulity, amazement, history, and legend blend together on the days of Lewis Hamilton’s debut with Ferrari, between Maranello and the Fiorano Circuit.
At dawn, the rhythmic sound of raindrops fills the silence of the early morning light, a silence that tastes of eager anticipation—a silence that, just hours later, will be broken by the roar of the SF-23 engine on the Scuderia Ferrari track in the small town of Fiorano.
It is January 22 in the year of the 75th edition of the Formula 1 World Championship, a season that promises to keep fans glued to their TV screens with goosebumps. As expected, the echo of the engine of the Ferrari-built single-seater fills the surrounding space, but it clashes with the paradoxical silence of the Tifosi—witnesses in awe of one of the most important pages in Ferrari’s history: the on-track debut of Lewis Hamilton as an official driver for the Maranello team, a moment awaited for an entire year, soon to be lived out weekend after weekend.
On the exclusive track of the Italian team, history has always been marked by the melody of cars distinguished by the Prancing Horse logo and the iconic red color. And, as tradition dictates, even in 2025, the sound of engines provides the backdrop to the prologue of a new legendary story for the Scuderia. The soundtrack that accompanies Lewis Hamilton’s entrance into the history of the Italian team, an arrival that stopped the Formula 1 clock and raised the anticipation for the upcoming season even before the previous one had begun. This announcement shook Ferrari fans first and the rest of the world afterward—one of the greatest drivers of all time joining the team, perhaps completing a circle
January 20, 2025: The King’s Arrival in Maranello
A sharp, black double-breasted suit is the attire chosen by the seven-time world champion for his first official day of work this season, which took place last Monday. It’s a choice that reflects Sir Hamilton’s elegance and impeccable style, something we’re all used to by now. In this outfit, he poses for a picture alongside an F40 and in front of Enzo Ferrari’s house in the square dedicated to Michael Schumacher, inside the Fiorano Circuit. Accompanying the image, which blends history, passion, and legend, are Hamilton’s first words in Italian dedicated to this new chapter: “A part of me has always held on to the dream of driving in red. I couldn’t be happier to make that dream come true. “.
The shot, taken by renowned photographer Andre D. Wagner, captures the King, focused and surrounded by an aura of power, an image that wastes no time in becoming part of motorsport history—a photograph that encapsulates the essence of a Legend.
Hamilton’s first hours in Italy caused a frenzy throughout the nation, with numerous posts shared by Tifosi on social media platforms, ranging from disbelief to the dawning realization of this historic moment. At 8:34 p.m. on Tuesday evening, a photo emerges to set expectations high and fuel the enthusiasm of the most passionate fans: it’s the first image of Lewis Hamilton in the iconic red Ferrari suit. Another image that exists between history and legend, passion and poetry, generating that respectful silence that precedes the melody of the single-seaters.
The stage is set – We’re ready. Less than twenty-four hours to go.
Two Days Later, The Track Debut
Wednesday morning, under a sky reminiscent of his homeland, Lewis Hamilton, with a focused yet introspective look, walks into the garage of the Fiorano Circuit, accompanied by a vibration that shakes him deep to the bone. The thrill of the challenge and change runs down his spine—two necessary elements in a Formula 1 driver’s career, even more so in life.
The Brit knows this feeling well. He has learned to manage it, to harness it, and turn it into energy as he seeks out the secrets his profession demands. This is the skill that has helped him carve his name among the greatest in motorsport, alongside Michael Schumacher, with whom, besides sharing seven world titles, he has a history at Mercedes and now, a chapter at Ferrari—one last piece of the puzzle to solidify his place.
Entering the cockpit of the SF-23, wearing a yellow Modena helmet—the original color of the historic team—featuring the Prancing Horse logo as well as his own logo and the number 44, which has accompanied him since his karting days, the world champion takes a few moments to savor the moment. He soaks in every second of this day, which marks the official beginning of a new era in his life.
There’s no room for doubts or uncertainties that may have occupied his mind in the past. Now, it’s time to take the pen and write the final chapter of his story in success, as Lewis Hamilton has always done, a seven-time Formula 1 world champion.
And then, he shifts into first gear, and here he goes: the King begins to run on his horse like a Red flash in the Modena fog. All disbelief is swept away: a helmet emerges and the driver’s number on the Ferrari-built car erases any lingering doubt. Lap after lap, he listens to the engine’s roar, anticipating braking points and apexes, getting to know the car and the track where other Greats, whom he has always respected and admired, raced before him—officially entering the history of Scuderia Ferrari.
“That’s for all the kids out there who dream the impossible”.
Photo: Scuderia Ferrari HP, Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1.