Uncertainty surrounds Lewis Hamilton's potential debut with Ferrari in Australia

"Historically, Ferrari has performed strongly in Australia…"

A significant uncertainty looms over Lewis Hamilton's first race with Ferrari in Australia.

The 2025 Formula 1 season is set to begin in Melbourne from March 14 to 16.

This event marks Hamilton's debut race with Ferrari at a track he historically enjoys.

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"It's intriguing to kick off the season in Australia," commented Lewis Larkam from Crash on the Crash F1 podcast.

Historically, Ferrari has performed admirably in Australia.

Reflecting on past seasons when it kicked off the racing calendar, there was a time when Sebastian Vettel spearheaded the excitement, sparking the buzz that 'Ferrari has returned!'

"Clearly, it didn't turn out that way in the end."

"This year, it's once more a reality."

Lewis Hamilton boasts an impressive track record in Australia. The circuit is among his best, and he holds the highest number of pole positions at this venue.

Uncertainty surrounds Lewis Hamilton's future

The seven-time Formula 1 champion has seven potential opportunities as he begins with Ferrari. Will this be the chance for Lewis Hamilton to secure his eighth title? 👀🤔 pic.twitter.com/Npw2RuQv1u— Crash.net – Formula 1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) January 20, 2025

"It's thrilling to begin the season and observe how this partnership will perform," stated Lewis Larkam.

"The most significant uncertainty is how quickly Hamilton will adapt."

Observing how much time it will require for him to get used to the vehicle.

"There is consistently a procedure involved. However, historically, this track has been favorable for both Ferrari and him, at least on paper."

"From the very beginning, they might be competitive. Last season, they had a quick car and were in the running for pole positions and wins. I see no reason why that wouldn't happen again."

This week, Hamilton began his journey at Maranello.

He underwent a seat fitting, spent time using the simulator, got acquainted with his new engineering team, and experienced driving a Ferrari F1 car for the first time.

His latest journey will intensify as Formula 1 arrives in Bahrain next month for the official testing sessions.

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Michael Schumacher's environment was described as unfriendly, with little communication between people. The saying went, "If you're looking for friends, bring your own, as this is not the place to forge new friendships."

Juan Pablo Montoya, a former rival of Michael Schumacher, described Schumacher's most successful period as being "hostile".

Montoya has drawn a comparison between the tense interactions among Formula 1 drivers during the 1990s and 2000s and the more amicable environment seen today.

The friendly relationship among the current generation faced a challenge last season when Max Verstappen stirred up tensions with Lando Norris and George Russell.

In an interview on the Beyond The Grid podcast, Montoya mentioned that teammates nowadays, thanks to social media, have become very close friends. They dine together and enjoy playing padel as a group.

"Back in my time, we didn't really converse with others much. I chatted with Fernando Alonso, and I continue to do so, as well as Rubens Barrichello. Occasionally, I also talk to Felipe Massa, but that's about the extent of it."

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Montoya described the scene as extremely unfriendly, noting that people were not communicating with one another.

Chip Ganassi once made a memorable remark. I had shown kindness to an opponent during a race, choosing not to be overly aggressive. Ganassi told me, "If you want friends, bring them with you, because this isn't the place to make friends."

"Indeed, that's correct."

These days, people are chatting and being friendly with each other.

"Being kind makes it challenging to act like a jerk. It's tough to intentionally force someone off the track when you have a good relationship with them."

"If it's the person you dined with yesterday evening, it's more challenging to dismiss them. The situation isn't as ruthless."

"These days, the regulations aren't as strict. Back in my era, it was possible to force other drivers off the track!"

Montoya famously had conflicts with Schumacher, who was dominant during that period.

Colombian racer Montoya achieved victory in seven Formula One grand prix events and competed for the teams Williams and McLaren.

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Toto Wolff acknowledges the Formula 1 budget cap challenges following a crash-heavy 2024 season. "Towards the year's end, we were unable to implement certain aerodynamic and mechanical enhancements due to a lack of funds needed to manufacture those specific components…"

Toto Wolff disclosed that Mercedes nearly exceeded Formula 1's budget limit due to a series of crashes towards the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Towards the end of the 2024 season, Mercedes faced challenges as three significant accidents led to a shortage of replacement parts.

Kimi Antonelli's accident at Monza, along with two crashes involving George Russell later in the season, has placed Mercedes in a challenging situation.

After crashing during practice on Friday, Russell had no choice but to use a floor designed for Miami while competing in Mexico.

The situation not only affected Mercedes' performance during races but also put them in a challenging financial situation.

Wolff stated that it would greatly affect how they allocate their finances for the year.

"Extremely tight. Accumulating a substantial reserve of eggs isn't an option," Wolff explained to AMuS. "What typically happens is that you exceed your limits early in the year and then have to begin conserving."

As the year concluded, we were unable to implement certain enhancements in aerodynamics and mechanics due to a lack of funds for manufacturing the necessary components.

"The mishaps that occur towards the end of the season can cause significant issues. Kimi Antonelli had an incident in Monza, while George Russell faced problems in Austin and Mexico. There was a moment when we were left with just a single set of a specific wing type."

"In Mexico, returning to the previous aerodynamic setup wasn't possible due to a lack of spare parts. The budget restrictions left no funds for new components."

Mercedes faces a fresh era as they enter 2025 with Lewis Hamilton no longer driving for them.

Eighteen-year-old prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to join the team for his Formula 1 debut, partnering with Russell.

Mercedes has faced challenges in adapting to Formula 1's existing rules during the "ground effect era".

Even though Mercedes secured four victories last year, they lagged significantly behind the top three teams in the rankings.

Mercedes has struggled with maintaining a steady performance, frequently baffled by the fluctuations in how well they perform.

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Max Verstappen is anxiously anticipating whether Red Bull can bounce back without Adrian Newey. “Will the team members influenced by Newey be able to fix the issues with Red Bull? If not, I doubt he’ll be able to keep up with the McLarens or Ferraris.”

Max Verstappen is considered the top contender for the championship if Red Bull can overcome last season's challenges, even in the absence of Adrian Newey's guidance.

In 2024, Verstappen secured his fourth straight F1 drivers' championship, but the journey was anything but smooth.

In the first 10 races, Verstappen claimed victory in seven, but then managed to secure only two additional wins in the following 14 competitions.

Red Bull fell behind McLaren and later Ferrari, dropping in ranking and depending on Verstappen's exceptional talent, especially evident in Brazil, to secure the championship, ultimately at the cost of Lando Norris.

In an interview with Sky Sports News, Brundle expressed his belief that Verstappen is the clear favorite in the title race. He noted that this is especially true because the McLaren and Ferrari drivers could end up splitting points among themselves.

Brundle mentioned that the crucial aspect is whether Red Bull has managed to get their car back in shape.

If Red Bull manages to get their car back in top condition and Verstappen is performing well, he will remain the favorite for the championship. This is because Piastri might take points away from Norris, and Hamilton and Leclerc could end up taking points from one another.

Influence of Adrian Newey

Red Bull faces the challenge of reclaiming their top position in Formula 1 performance, now without the expertise of their brilliant designer, Newey.

Midway through last year, it was revealed that Newey would be leaving the team, allowing him to move to Aston Martin.

Christian Horner, the head of Red Bull, has assured that the team possesses a robust foundation to manage even if Newey leaves.

Newey's exit occurred at the same time as Red Bull's decline in performance.

Brundle acknowledged that the controversies outside the racing circuit involving Red Bull did cause the team to lose focus. However, the most significant hurdle in 2025 will be improving performance without Newey's involvement.

He mentioned, "I believe it was a distraction." He continued by praising Max for maintaining his focus amidst the events that unfolded during the first part of last year. His bigger worry, however, was that the car's performance declined while McLaren and Ferrari made strides forward.

"He'll be anxiously anticipating the outcome of whether they've managed to recover it. Adrian Newey essentially departed from the team halfway through last season. Will those who have taken over from Newey be able to fix the issues with Red Bull? If they're unable to do so, I doubt he'll be able to keep up with the McLarens or Ferraris."

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Fernando Alonso identifies his top quality as a Formula 1 racer. At 43, the Aston Martin driver maintains this crucial characteristic.

Fernando Alonso has identified his main talent as a Formula 1 racer.

At 43 years old, Alonso once again holds the title of the oldest competitor on the Formula 1 grid as the 2025 season prepares to commence.

He continues to chase after his hard-to-capture 33rd grand prix win, with his last victory dating back to 2013. Despite this lengthy period without a win, he is still considered one of the most skilled drivers in the field.

In an interview with DAZN, Alonso evaluated his own abilities, highlighting his strengths in starting races, excelling under pressure, and maximizing the performance of any car, regardless of its quality.

"There is constantly potential for enhancement, as vehicles are continuously developing."

"The experience of driving in the 2000s was different from the V8 engines of the 2010s, and it has changed again with today's turbo engines."

Fernando Alonso talks about his essential qualities. Alonso went on to say, "When I ventured into different formats like endurance racing, the Dakar Rally, and the Indianapolis 500, I realized I lacked the insights about my competitors. It was thrilling to start fresh and acquire new driving skills."

"Despite having driven for nearly four decades, there are certainly still many lessons for me to absorb."

Pedro de la Rose shared his thoughts on what sets Alonso apart.

"Power… is something truly remarkable," de la Rosa remarked.

"His skill in using the brakes to adjust the car's performance during turns is what sets him apart."

"Is there a flaw? I haven't discovered it yet, but I'm still on the hunt and will continue searching."

Fernando constantly pushes you to slip up.

"When he surpasses his opponent and errs, he moves to page 2 during the counteroffensive."

Fernando Alonso is set to join teammate Lance Stroll at Aston Martin for his third consecutive season.

In the initial races of 2023, he was close to achieving a long-anticipated grand prix win, but the performance of his Aston Martin declined last year.

Adrian Newey is beginning his role with the Formula 1 team this year, and he has the potential to impact the design of their car for 2026, when there will be major changes

This development adds more fascination to the later stages of Alonso's career, during which he has secured two F1 world championships.

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Italian outlets express astonishment over a particular element of Lewis Hamilton's initial trial with Ferrari. Reports from Italy highlight early reactions to Hamilton's first appearance in a Ferrari Formula 1 car.

Italian news outlets have revealed their initial thoughts on Lewis Hamilton's first Formula 1 testing session with Ferrari.

On Wednesday, the seven-time world champion had the opportunity to drive one of the Scuderia's legendary red F1 vehicles for the first time, completing 30 laps on Ferrari's Fiorano test track despite the cold and damp weather conditions.

Lewis Hamilton's session in a 2023 Ferrari wasn't focused on showcasing speed. Instead, it served as a chance for him to familiarize himself with the team's operational methods and start building a rapport with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami.

Italian news outlets were taken aback by Lewis Hamilton's trial run with Ferrari. Sky Italy correspondent Vicky Piria provided insights into the reaction within Italy regarding Hamilton's initial week with the Ferrari team.

"Everyone is thrilled, and it genuinely caught us off guard, including those of us at Sky Italy," Piria expressed to Sky Sports News reporter Craig Slater.

"Individuals have been present since 5 a.m., holding their spots and maintaining a lively, festive atmosphere. It's been like a celebration, with everyone eagerly anticipating the start of the season."

"I believe that the strong finish to the season with Ferrari raised expectations, but it has been followed by a significant period of anticipation."

"The announcement was made on February 1st of the previous year, meaning the Tifosi had to endure a lengthy wait before it finally came to fruition."

During his early laps, Hamilton was observed committing minor mistakes as he found it challenging to handle the low-grip conditions.

According to Piria, who is a racing driver as well, this indicates that Hamilton was beginning to try different things with the car in order to learn more about its capabilities.

"Despite the chilly, wet, and damp conditions, Lewis experimented with various approaches," she said.

"We observed him experimenting with the E-Diff and adjusting the brake balance, which led to some wheel locking. He wasn't merely completing installation laps; he was actively testing various elements."

He isn't forcing it but is experimenting instead. This is about him finding his rhythm and grasping the various aspects, like the steering wheel settings and their functions. While they study everything on the simulator, translating those sensations to the actual track is a different experience.

"It's actually progress for him since the Australian event is approaching soon."

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Michael Schumacher's previous blue Ferrari F355 is up for auction. Next month, a Ferrari F355 that used to belong to Schumacher will be available for bidding.

Interested in buying the Ferrari F355 that once belonged to Formula 1 icon Michael Schumacher?

Indeed, you may have the opportunity, as the Ferrari F355 belonging to the seven-time Formula 1 world champion is set to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s from February 4 to February 7.

The 1996 F355 GTS is thought to be the initial Ferrari that the renowned Formula 1 driver used as his own sports car after becoming part of the Italian team. Schumacher drove it in Monaco until the end of 1997.

The Ferrari features a Bel Le Mans exterior and a Pella Crema leather interior, equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. Cavalleri Monaco Motors has provided a letter verifying that they performed maintenance on the vehicle for Schumacher.

Check out this Instagram post from Car Throttle (@carthrottle).

The year prior to when the F355 became available with the 'F1' style semi-automatic paddleshift transmission.

The vehicle is equipped with a 3.5-liter V8 engine that produces 375 horsepower. This engine features 40 valves and can rev up to 8,500 revolutions per minute. The car has been driven for approximately 29,500 miles.

Since it was owned by Ferrari's most legendary driver, it is likely to attract significant attention at the auction.

The consignor, who worked as a motoring journalist covering Formula 1 at the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix, recounted an encounter with Michael Schumacher, then part of the Mercedes-AMG team. During their conversation, he inquired about Schumacher's former F355 GTS. Schumacher immediately recognized the car from a photograph and expressed his pleasure that it had been purchased by someone who truly appreciated it, according to RM Sotheby’s notes.

Eager to make the most of his newly acquired F355 GTS, he drove it directly from Monaco to his home in Belgium after buying it. Since then, he's frequently taken it out for pleasure drives and to attend car events throughout Belgium.

The current owner has seen this item highlighted in three separate magazine articles: one in the November 2006 edition of Forza magazine, another in the March 2013 issue of the German publication Ferrari World, and a third in the June 2021 edition of Auto Trends Classic magazine, which was available in both Dutch and French.

Back in 2017, the vehicle took home the Best of Show award at Spa Italia in Belgium. Minichamps created a line of 1:43 scale replicas of this car, featuring a display that included Michael Schumacher in the background. Before it was purchased, the car had already covered around 21,000 kilometers, and at the time of being cataloged, its odometer displayed nearly 47,500 kilometers since it was new.

In 2020, this vehicle received Ferrari Classiche certification, verifying that it still possesses its original chassis, gearbox, and bodywork, and maintains its original color scheme. Although the certification indicates that the car’s current engine is not the original, it is of the appropriate type. There is speculation that when the car was initially delivered to Michael Schumacher, it had an enhanced engine, though this claim remains unverified. The existing engine was installed before the current owner acquired the car in 2004.

During the period it has been owned by its current owner, the car has consistently been maintained by official Ferrari service centers, following the recommended service intervals. There are many service invoices available from this time, along with documents from Monaco Motors from the years 2002 and 2004, before the consignor took ownership.

In September 2024, F.M.A Ferrari completed the most recent significant maintenance on the F355 GTS. This service involved installing a new windshield, replacing the rear brake pads, timing belts, and spark plugs, fitting a new battery, and refurbishing the dashboard.

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Exclusive Look at Ferrari's Off-Season Progress Compared to McLaren: "The Impression Is…"

A closer examination of Ferrari's advancements during the off-season as they aim to secure their first championship victory since 2008.

According to Formula 1 specialist Martin Brundle, Ferrari has made considerable progress compared to McLaren during the offseason.

Ferrari came close to winning the 2024 F1 constructors' championship, ending the season only 13 points short of McLaren.

The Scuderia regretted a mid-season improvement that ended up limiting their performance for the rest of the season.

This resulted in a series of disappointing performances from Barcelona to Hungary, consistently placing Ferrari behind Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes.

Acknowledging their efforts, they addressed their problems with an upgrade introduced at Monza, which turned their season around and put them in the running for the championship.

Ferrari believes that by maintaining their current path and especially by enhancing their performance in fast corners, they can surpass McLaren in the rankings.

During an interview with Sky Sports News, Brundle disclosed that Ferrari has achieved significant progress over the off-season.

"Ferrari is feeling quite assured. Currently, it seems that Ferrari may have made slightly more progress with their car compared to McLaren or other teams," Brundle commented.

It is understood that McLaren has strong faith in their data and the design of their new car. This season is expected to be among the most exciting in the history of Formula 1. The competition will be extremely tight, and the victor will earn a prestigious championship title.

"We won't really understand the true speed of the cars until we see them in action, likely not before the Saturday of the first race in Melbourne. It’s when they’re running with low fuel, at full throttle, with maximum power and fresh tires that we’ll get a clear picture of which team has nailed it. As you’re aware, it's crucial to see which cars maintain their speed after 30, 50, or even 60 laps during a grand prix."

"Let's hold off on making conclusions. It's quite bold to either dismiss someone or declare them as the champion."

Could Hamilton's Arrival Benefit Ferrari?

Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari is expected to provide the team with a significant advantage as they approach the upcoming season.

This week marked a significant moment for the team as Hamilton made his inaugural visit to Maranello, followed by taking the 2023 car out on the track.

Ferrari is optimistic that bringing in Hamilton might finally break their lengthy championship dry spell, which has persisted since 2008.

Since losing the championship to Max Verstappen in 2021, Hamilton has not consistently been at the forefront in Formula 1, largely due to Mercedes facing difficulties during the ground effect era.

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Jeremy Clarkson teases Lewis Hamilton with a playful picture

Jeremy Clarkson jests about Lewis Hamilton's photoshoot involving Ferrari.

Jeremy Clarkson has made a joke about Lewis Hamilton after the latter moved to Ferrari.

The ex-Top Gear host shared a photo of himself dressed in a suit with an overcoat casually placed over his shoulders, standing in front of a Range Rover near a barn on his farm.

The Instagram post, garnering close to a million likes, was labeled with the caption "Lewis Clarkilton."

Check out this Instagram post from Jeremy Clarkson (@jeremyclarkson1), which has been shared on his account.

The image seemed to make fun of Hamilton's inaugural official photo as a Ferrari F1 driver, taken after his initial trip to the renowned Maranello base of the iconic Italian team on Monday.

Hamilton was spotted standing in front of a Ferrari F40 supercar, dressed in a traditional Italian dark pinstripe suit, with a double-breasted coat draped over his shoulders.

Clarkson has recently cracked a playful joke targeting Hamilton and Ferrari.

Check out this Instagram post from Lewis Hamilton, shared on his account.

Racing Bulls, the sister team of Red Bull, also ridiculed the post.

'Considered Over the Hill and Beyond His Best Days'

As the previous season drew to a close, Clarkson harshly criticized Hamilton, describing the seven-time world champion as being "over the hill" and "beyond his best days."

The challenging competition at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in November came after a tough race.

In his column for The Sun, Clarkson mentioned that the Brazilian Grand Prix over the past weekend taught us two significant lessons.

"Actually, there were three incidents if you include Lance Stroll's mishap, where he managed to crash his newly fixed car during the formation lap and subsequently ended up in a gravel trap."

To start with, Max Verstappen ranks among the legends of the sport. Some might argue he could be the best driver in history.

In the second point, Lewis Hamilton is considered to be beyond his peak performance. Although Hamilton attributed his poor qualifying position to issues with his car, his teammate, George Russell, managed to secure a spot on the front row.

Certainly, one might speculate that since Lewis is set to join Ferrari next year, the team might be putting lemon barley water into his fuel tank instead of gasoline. However, this scenario appears improbable.

"It is much more likely that his age has caught up with him."

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Jeremy Clarkson teases Lewis Hamilton with a humorous image.

Jeremy Clarkson makes fun of Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari photoshoot.

Jeremy Clarkson has made a humorous remark about Lewis Hamilton after the latter moved to Ferrari.

The ex-host of Top Gear shared a photo showing him dressed in a suit with an overcoat casually slung over his shoulders, as he stood beside a Range Rover in front of a barn on his property.

An Instagram post, which has garnered close to one million likes, was captioned with “Lewis Clarkilton.”

See this Instagram post, which was uploaded by Jeremy Clarkson (@jeremyclarkson1).

The image seemed to poke fun at Hamilton's debut official photo as a Ferrari Formula 1 driver after his inaugural trip to the renowned Italian team's iconic Maranello base on Monday.

Hamilton was spotted standing in front of a Ferrari F40 Supercar, dressed in a traditional Italian dark pinstripe suit and a double-breasted overcoat draped over his shoulders.

Clarkson has recently delivered a playful jab aimed at Hamilton and Ferrari.

Check out this Instagram post from Lewis Hamilton. This content has been posted by Lewis Hamilton on Instagram.

Red Bull's affiliated team, Racing Bulls, also ridiculed the post.

'Deemed Over the Hill and Beyond His Best Years'

In the final stages of the previous season, Clarkson harshly criticized the seven-time world champion, Hamilton, describing him as "over the hill" and "beyond his best years."

The challenging race took place at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in November.

In his column for The Sun, Clarkson stated that the Brazilian Grand Prix over the weekend taught us two significant lessons.

"Actually, it's three if you consider Lance Stroll, who managed to crash his newly fixed vehicle during the formation lap. He subsequently steered it into a gravel trap."

To begin with, Max Verstappen is among the legends in the sport's history. Some might argue he could be the best driver ever witnessed.

Furthermore, Lewis Hamilton appears to be beyond his peak performance. While he attributed his poor qualifying position to issues with his car, his teammate, George Russell, managed to secure a spot at the front of the grid.

It's conceivable that, with Lewis transitioning to Ferrari next year, the team might be putting lemon barley water in his fuel tank instead of petrol. However, that scenario appears improbable.

"It is much more likely that his age is now a factor."

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FIA details the allocation of funds from fines imposed on F1 drivers

Max Verstappen was one of the drivers who faced financial penalties in F1

The FIA has explained how the funds collected from fines imposed on F1 drivers are utilized.

Last season, the sport's governing authority collected a sum of 270,000 Euros from drivers due to various penalties.

Motorists faced penalties for violations such as speeding in the pit lane, entering an active track area, and, most contentiously, for using offensive language.

Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen faced penalties for using profanity during official press briefings.

However, the FIA has clarified how they allocate the funds.

FIA clarifies the allocation of funds from penalties

According to Nikolas Tombazis, who leads the single-seater racing division within the organization, the FIA operates as a non-profit entity, as reported by Autosport.

"Our organization isn't focused on satisfying shareholders who are monitoring stock market figures and anticipating an increase in stock prices or higher dividend payouts."

"All the funds are allocated towards activities deemed advantageous, whether they're related to safety measures, grassroots motorsport initiatives, or occasionally other endeavors associated with road safety."

"I believe that this question is occasionally swayed by the current emotions surrounding the specific fine being talked about."

"I understand that people who have to pay a fine often feel a bit upset and might even feel wronged. However, it's important to recognize that there are various types of projects, and it's not reasonable to assume that this money is used for things like Christmas parties."

"The funds invested in grassroots efforts far surpass the total of penalties collected, suggesting that any contributions to these initiatives are likely to yield beneficial results."

"It's likely challenging to identify initiatives at the FIA that lack a foundation in grassroots motorsport or a focus on social impact."

I can confidently state that penalties imposed on drivers in one sport do not financially support another sport, category, or anything similar.

"When considering other efforts, such as our campaigns addressing online harassment and the grassroots initiatives we've previously discussed, or safety projects, I see these as commendable uses of funds. I am confident that these resources support these causes."

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For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he reported on a range of sports including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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New video shows Lewis Hamilton's excitement as he experiences driving a Ferrari for the first time. The footage captures Hamilton's joy when he gets behind the wheel of a Ferrari F1 car.

In newly released footage, Lewis Hamilton expressed that driving a Ferrari F1 car for the first time was an "incredible" experience.

The seven-time world champion is relishing his initial week of duties with Ferrari following his high-profile transfer from Mercedes during the winter.

On Wednesday, Hamilton drove a 2023 F1 car for 30 laps at Ferrari's Fiorano test track, despite the chilly and wet weather conditions.

Recently unveiled video content from Ferrari showcases Hamilton's initial response upon piloting one of the Scuderia's legendary red Formula 1 vehicles for the very first time.

Hamilton struggles to hide his enthusiasm, describing the experience as "incredible."

In the final moments of the one-minute video shared on Instagram, race engineer Riccardo Adami requests a "radio check" from Hamilton. The driver replies with enthusiasm: "Wow, whew! Hehe… Wow, that was incredible."

Check out this Instagram post from Scuderia Ferrari HP (@scuderiaferrari).

The British driver, who is 40 years old, was observed by his family and a crowd of 1,500 people as he took to the track for the first time with Ferrari, preparing for his inaugural season with the renowned Formula 1 team.

Hamilton described his initial experience driving a Ferrari F1 car as "one of the most exhilarating moments I've ever had."

As I revved up the engine and steered the car through the garage door, a huge grin spread across my face.

The experience took me back to the initial occasion when I drove a Formula 1 car for the first time. That moment was filled with thrill and significance, and now, nearly two decades later, I'm reliving those feelings once more.

"From the exterior, I was aware of the intense passion that the Ferrari family embodies, which includes both the team members and the devoted fans."

"Experiencing it directly as a Ferrari driver has been truly remarkable. Their enthusiasm is inherent, and it is impossible not to feel invigorated by it."

"I deeply appreciate the affection I've received from everyone in Maranello over the past week. We have plenty of tasks ahead, and I'm eager to begin."

Later this month, Hamilton is anticipated to continue testing older Ferrari vehicles at the Barcelona track.

On February 19, he and his teammate Charles Leclerc will get their first opportunity to try out Ferrari's 2025 race car during the team's unveiling event.

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Lewis frequently travels to various Grand Prix events globally as a correspondent for Crash.net. On many occasions, he provides on-the-scene coverage, sharing the experiences and insights of key figures in the racing world.

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