Watch: Lewis Hamilton’s first F1 session as a Ferrari driver

Lewis Hamilton made a drama-free start to his Ferrari career, completing 70 laps during his first full session in the team’s 2025 SF-25 at the pre-season test in Bahrain.

Hamilton, who had a brief shakedown run alongside teammate Charles Leclerc at Fiorano last week, finally got a proper feel for his new car as he opened Ferrari’s testing program.

Despite some minor moments off-track at Turn Four, where he kicked up gravel, the seven-time world champion completed over a full Bahrain race distance of 57 laps without significant issues.

Hamilton officially became a Scuderia Ferrari driver on January 1 2025, just six days before turning 40 years old.

The switch to Ferrari came after 12 successful years at Mercedes, where he won 84 races, and six world titles. The Englishman made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007 and won the ‘08 drivers’ title before switching to Mercedes.

Bahrain Test Day One – Morning Times

1. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes – 1:31.428 (78 laps)

2. Liam Lawson, Red Bull – 1:31.560 (58 laps)

3. Alex Albon, Williams – 1:31.573 (63 laps)

4. Yuki Tsunoda, Racing Bulls – 1:31.610 (78 laps)

5. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari – 1:31.834 (70 laps)

6. Jack Doohan, Alpine – 1:31.841 (68 laps)

7. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin – 1:31.874 (46 laps)

8. Oscar Piastri, McLaren – 1:32.084 (66 laps)

9. Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber – 1:32.169 (55 laps)

10. Oliver Bearman, Haas – 1:35.522 (72 laps)

All drivers set their fastest times on medium compound tires.