Lewis Hamilton pictured driving a Ferrari Formula One car for the first time as seven-time world champion takes to iconic Scuderia track after unveiling in Maranello

Lewis Hamilton made his first outing for Ferrari in a test drive at their private Fiorano Circuit on Wednesday morning. 

The seven-time world champion took a Ferrari Formula One SF-23 for a spin around the track in northern Italy. 

A throng of fans gathered outside the track on to catch a glimpse of their new speedster in action as he embarks on his £50million-per-year deal. 

Hamilton arrived for his first day at the Scuderia’s Maranello factory on Monday and met his new colleagues including his new race engineer Riccardo Adami.

He also had his official unveiling picture with the Prancing Horse, posing outside founder Enzo Ferrari’s trackside office.

Hamilton wore a dark suit and an overcoat worn like a cape for the long-prepared image in front of a Ferrari F40. 

Lewis Hamilton made his first outing in a Ferrari F1 car on Wednesday morning in Italy 

The Brit took the Scuderdia's SF-23 model for a blast around the Fiorano Circuit

The Brit took the Scuderdia’s SF-23 model for a blast around the Fiorano Circuit 

Hamilton had his official portrait taken for Ferrari as he arrived at Maranello on Monday

Hamilton had his official portrait taken for Ferrari as he arrived at Maranello on Monday 

Fans gathered outside the circuit to catch a glimpse of the new Ferrari star on Wednesday

Fans gathered outside the circuit to catch a glimpse of the new Ferrari star on Wednesday 

The Brit is gearing up for his first season at Ferrari after leaving behind Mercedes following 12 trophy-laden seasons. 

On Monday, Hamilton opened up on how much is meant to finally be driving for Ferrari in an Instagram post.

‘There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those,’ he wrote. 

‘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.

‘We start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together.’

On Monday, Hamilton was given a tour of the factory by team principal Fred Vasseur and was greeted by Ferrari president John Elkann and vice-chairman son of Enzo, Piero Ferrari. 

His test drive was in the 2023 model of Ferrari’s F1 development – the latest model allowed under the TCP (testing of previous cars) rule that permits a driver 1,000km (620 miles) of in-house practice.

He is expected to step up his on-track acclimatisation programme in Barcelona at the end of the month.

He will also take part in the official F1-wide test in Bahrain next month, in the new 2025 car, before making his race debut as Charles Leclerc’s team-mate at the Australian Grand Prix on March 16. 

More to follow.  

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