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FERRARI'S FIORANO TEST TRACK NEXT TO THEIR MARANELLO BASE IN ITALY WAS THE VENUE AS THEIR NEW DRIVER LEWIS HAMILTON GOT HIS FIRST CHANCE TO DRIVE ONE OF THEIR F1 CARS 12:35, 22 Jan 2025

Lewis Hamilton took some time to greet adoring fans at Fiorano following his first experience of Ferrari machinery. The seven-time Formula 1 champion enjoyed his first day with his new team

earlier this week as he met new colleagues at their base in Maranello, Italy. And on Wednesday Hamilton got down to business with the first of several tests planned between now and the

start of the new season. Wearing his new red racing overalls and a striking yellow helmet, Hamilton got behind the wheel of the SF-23 to complete several laps of the team's own Fiorano

test track. And it sparked plenty of interest from fans who crowded the outskirts of the circuit to witness it for themselves. Many waved Ferrari flags in approval of their team's new

big-name hire. And there were also several Union Flags flying in clear support of Hamilton as he adjusts to his new surroundings. READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton drives Ferrari F1 car for first

time as pictures emerge from ItalyREAD MORE: Lewis Hamilton's most crucial Ferrari role comes to light as he drives for first time Plenty of footage and photos have already emerged from

the test, including many showing his racing number 44 on the side of Ferrari machinery for the first time. And more has now been published on social media portraying Hamilton showing his

appreciation to those gather fans. Driven to one corner of the circuit, Hamilton emerges from the back of a black Alfa Romeo to wave to a huge crowd amassed on the outside of the track. In

response, they chant his name and waved their flags in support. On Monday, Hamilton met many of his new colleagues including some of the team's most powerful people. He was pictured

with team principal Frederic Vasseur, who he knows well from his time racing in GP2 before F1, as well as chairman John Elkann and chief executive Benedetto Vigna. "There are some days

that you know you'll remember forever and today, my first as a Scuderia Ferrari HP driver, is one of those days," Hamilton glowed. "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 today. Article

continues below "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. 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 organisation and the fans. Today we start a new chapter in the history of this iconic team, and I can't wait to see what story we will write together." Watch Formula One on

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