Lewis Hamilton drives his new F1 Ferrari for the first time

Lewis Hamilton firmly believes that Ferrari "absolutely has all the elements to win," as the British champion driver strives to break records and secure his eighth World Drivers' Championship title. This pursuit underscores his ambition and confidence in the team's potential.

Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc first drove the Ferrari 2025 SF-25 on Wednesday local time, preparing for the new Formula 1 season that begins in March. This testing was completed at Ferrari's test track in Fiorano, with official F1 pre-season testing scheduled to take place next week in Bahrain. These early runs are crucial for familiarizing themselves with the car and identifying areas for improvement.

Hamilton came to Ferrari to chase his eighth World Drivers' Championship. He told BBC Sport that he already feels comfortable with his new car. "From what I see, the passion, and everything all under one roof, it’s something I’ve not seen before, this team absolutely has all the elements to win," he said. His initial impressions are highly positive, fueling anticipation for the upcoming season.

"But we also realize we have to keep working. We have to improve and elevate in all areas – not all areas, but in some areas, and I have no doubt we can do that." Hamilton, 40, has spent the past 12 seasons with Mercedes, where he won six drivers' titles and helped the team win eight consecutive constructors' titles between 2014 and 2021. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to Ferrari's efforts.

The British driver's first world title was achieved in 2008 with McLaren – his second season in F1. Official pre-season testing will be held from February 26-28, followed by the Australian Grand Prix weekend from March 14-16. No Ferrari driver has won a driver's title since Kimi Räikkönen in 2007. Ferrari last won a team title in 2008. Last year, Ferrari finished second in the constructors' standings, 14 points behind champions McLaren. The team is determined to close the gap this year.

Hamilton told BBC Sport: "We are trying to prepare everything so that when we get to the first race, hopefully we are not still adjusting like we were for the first six months, but we are ready to go." "So, we are putting a lot of work in, but also trying to accelerate the process of getting to know each other, how they like to work, how I like to work." The intensive preparation aims to ensure a strong start to the season.

"You can’t really shortcut that process, you need to build trust and relationships over time, as you know. But every day has been exciting, I wake up every day feeling excited." Building strong relationships within the team is crucial for long-term success, and Hamilton is clearly enthusiastic about the challenge ahead.