Lewis Hamilton has said he is feeling “invigorated” at Ferrari ahead of his first Formula 1 season in red.
The seven-time world champion made his first public appearance for the Scuderia at the F1 75 Live event at London‘s O2 Arena on Tuesday, joining new teammate Charles Leclerc and team boss Fred Vasseur on stage after Ferrari unveiled their new car for the 2025 season, the SF-25.
“How you doing London? You good?” Hamilton said, amid loud cheers from a packed crowd.
“Good evening, everyone. Such a great night to be here amongst all of you.”
Asked to describe his mindset for the season with one word, Hamilton added: “I think the word I’m thinking of is invigorated because I feel so full of life with so much energy, because everything’s new.
“Just focused on what’s up ahead. I’m so proud to be a part of the team, it’s something new and exciting for me. Thank you for all being here.”
While he privately tested for Ferrari last month in Barcelona — where he crashed — it was be the seven-time world champion’s first public appearance for Ferrari since announcing his shock move from Mercedes last year.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who embraced the Briton before the event, likened seeing Hamilton in the red of Ferrari to seeing a divorced partner in a new relationship.
F1 75 Live, which is being held to commemorate 75 years of the sport, featured all 10 teams, the 20 drivers and the bosses. The unprecedented event saw each of the teams launch their liveries for the upcoming campaign.
Hamilton and Ferrari, though, will be holding their own season ‘launch’ at the team’s Italian headquarters in Maranello on Wednesday, when he is expected to speak in more detail about his new surroundings.
Preseason testing is on Feb. 26-28 while the season starts with the Australian Grand Prix on March 14-16.
Source: espn.com