Hamilton: Driving Ferrari F1 car 'one of the best feelings of my life'

Lewis Hamilton was left in awe after driving a Ferrari Formula 1 car for the first time Wednesday.

"I've been lucky enough to have many firsts in my career, from the first test to the first race, podium, win, and championship, so I wasn't sure how many more firsts I had, but driving a Scuderia Ferrari HP car for the first time this morning was one of the best feelings of my life," Hamilton said after the session.

He continued, "When I started the car up and drove through that garage door, I had the biggest smile on my face. It reminded me of the very first time I tested a Formula 1 car, it was such an exciting and special moment, and here I am, almost 20 years later, feeling those emotions all over again."

The British driver completed a test session in Ferrari's 2023 challenger, the SF-23, at the team's Fiorano circuit early Wednesday.

The seven-time world champion's on-track debut was met with great affection from the fan base. Hamilton felt "energized" by the crowd.

"I already knew from the outside how passionate the Ferrari family is, from everyone in the team to the tifosi! But, to now witness it firsthand as a Ferrari driver has been awe-inspiring," Hamilton said. "That passion runs through their veins, and you can’t help but be energized by it. I'm so grateful for the love I have felt from everyone in Maranello this week, we have a lot of work to do, but I can’t wait to get started."

The 40-year-old, who announced his shocking departure from Mercedes in 2024, made his first visit to the Maranello base Monday, calling it a day he'll remember forever.

Hamilton will partner with Charles Leclerc in a bid to bring Ferrari its first championship since 2008 when it last won the constructors' title. Kimi Raikkonen was the last pilot to win a drivers' title for the Italian team, doing so in 2007.