Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton realises his dream of racing for Ferrari
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F1 driver Lewis Hamilton arrives at Ferrari's headquarters at Maranello almost a year after he announced that he was leaving Mercedes.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MILAN – Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, Formula One’s most successful driver of all time, arrived for his first day at Ferrari on Jan 20, and said it was a dream come true to race for the Italian team.
Almost a year since Hamilton announced his shock decision to leave Mercedes, where he won six of his seven world championships, he was at the Scuderia’s headquarters at Maranello for his first official day.
“There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. I couldn’t be happier to realise that dream today. I’m dedicated to bringing everything I have to deliver for the team, the wider organisation and the fans.”
Wearing a long overcoat, dark suit and tie with a white shirt, the 40-year-old presented a chic look as he posed in front of the former home of Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the famous Prancing Horse marque, according to photos released by his new team.
Hamilton then went to the Fiorano circuit to meet team boss Frederic Vasseur and Ferrari chief Benedetto Vigna. He was also able to talk to several members of the team he will be working with over the coming weeks, including Riccardo Adami, who will be his track engineer.
Hamilton’s first day included a seat fitting followed by the simulator. He will step inside a Ferrari F1 car for the first time on Jan 22 at the Fiorano circuit, where he will be allowed a maximum of 1,000km with the 2022 model.
Meanwhile, Haas claimed a Formula One milestone on Jan 21 with Laura Muller appointed as the sport’s first female race engineer, working with experienced French driver Esteban Ocon.
Race engineers are the immediate point of contact for F1 drivers during the heat of battle, with some of them becoming well-known personalities in the sport for their radio exchanges broadcast around the world at key moments.
German Muller is one of two women taking on new roles at the United States-owned team, with Carine Cridelich joining from Red Bull-owned Racing Bulls (previously RB) on March 1 as head of strategy. REUTERS, AFP
