On the day of Hamilton’s unveiling at Fiorano, two other F1 teams—Visa Cash App and Sauber—were also on track in Imola
The excitement is palpable. Enthusiasm filled the air as countless fans braved the cold and the fog of the Po Valley to witness Lewis Hamilton’s first laps in the SF-23 at Fiorano yesterday. The passion for the Scuderia Ferrari knows no bounds, as demonstrated by banners and chants dedicated to Fred Vasseur—the mastermind behind the Hamilton-Ferrari deal—and Charles Leclerc. However, just a few kilometers from Fiorano, Formula 1 doesn’t stop. Preparations for the 2025 season are well underway, with on-track activities intensifying (see the latest FIA updates for the upcoming season).
On the Imola circuit—recently at the heart of discussions regarding track rotation policies led by Stefano Domenicali—Visa Cash App RB and Sauber both hit the track yesterday with their newly-announced drivers for the upcoming season. The Faenza-based team showcased French rookie Isack Hadjar, making his F1 debut after finishing second in last year’s F2 championship. Meanwhile, Sauber, under the guidance of Mattia Binotto, debuted Gabriel Bortoleto, who had been Hadjar’s main rival for the F2 title last season. Nico Hülkenberg, a new addition to the Sauber lineup, also joined the action, having swapped his Haas seat with Esteban Ocon.
Matt liveries and rain-soaked laps
Both teams introduced some “innovative” touches. Visa Cash App RB reintroduced their zebra-striped livery, featuring a striking black-and-white design for their Italian-engineered car. Sauber, for their part, temporarily moved away from their traditional green and opted for a super-matte finish in pure carbon black.
On the track, Isack Hadjar completed an impressive 82 laps in his Racing Bull, showing consistent lap times despite the challenging rainy conditions in the morning. His performance drew praise from Laurent Mekies and the Faenza pit wall.
Similarly, Gabriel Bortoleto drove under wet conditions but only in the morning, handing the wheel to Hülkenberg in the afternoon. For the experienced German driver, it was a “day one” at the helm of the C42, a car that the Hinwil team is eager to put behind them. Bortoleto is expected to return to the track today, while Japan’s Ayumu Iwasa, who previously drove for Faenza in the FP1 session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, is set to take a few laps in the Visa RB.
For Nico Hülkenberg, it’s a return to Sauber after a 12-year gap. The last time he raced with the Swiss team was in 2013, following his stellar season with Force India, where he came tantalizingly close to a memorable victory in Brazil but remained without a podium finish. After that, he spent three seasons at Force India, three years at Renault, and then, following a two-year hiatus, joined Haas. Now, he embarks on a new chapter with Sauber, tasked with helping the struggling team recover from a disappointing previous season.
Photo: Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, Stake Kick Sauber F1 Team