‘Today we start a new era’ – Hamilton after ‘dream’ first appearance for Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton has taken to social media to share his excitement after appearing at Ferrari’s Italian headquarters in Maranello for the first time.
The seven-time world champion is preparing to contest his first season with the iconic marque, having moved over from Mercedes to replace Carlos Sainz as Charles Leclerc’s team mate.
The Briton started the year with a message to his fans and followers on LinkedIn when he wrote about “embracing new opportunities” and stated that “reinvention is powerful”.
On Monday, Hamilton went a step further by posting another update on his social media channels that included a photo of him posing outside Ferrari team buildings in an all-black suit and alongside an F40 sports car.
“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 said in the accompanying message.
“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 realize that dream today.
“Today 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,” he added.
Hamilton is expected to carry out a number of pre-season tasks at Maranello this week, with Ferrari outlining how his first day at the team has panned out.
Earlier today the former Mercedes driver arrived at the squad’s headquarters before heading to the Fiorano track where he was met by Team Principal Fred Vasseur and Ferrari CEO, Benedetto Vigna.
Next on Hamilton’s agenda was a visit to the Fiorano house and the pit garage, with Vasseur and Vigna, including a look at the office from where the team’s late founder Enzo Ferrari would watch everyone at work.
Hamilton then returned to the Scuderia’s headquarters to meet team management and Piero Ferrari (Ferrari Vice Chairman and son of Enzo) before continuing with his “immersion programme”, visiting all the various departments in order to get to know the Ferrari team.
The team have also confirmed that Hamilton’s work will continue tomorrow with more technical meetings and briefings.
“I’m incredibly grateful to John Elkann, Benedetto Vigna, Fred Vasseur and everyone at Ferrari for their trust in me and making me part of this family,” Hamilton noted.
“I’m so excited to start this new era and to meet and work with a hugely talented and inspiring group of people. I’m dedicated to bringing everything I have to deliver for the team, the wider organization and the fans.”