‘We saw her’: F1 fans spot major Hamilton detail in Ferrari video, iconic photo
F1 fans have gone into meltdown after spotting a major detail in footage of Lewis Hamilton’s first test drive on track with Ferrari.
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The start of the new F1 season is less than two months away and excitement levels are already at fever pitch after fans got their first glimpse of Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari racing suit.
Hamilton sent social media into meltdown this week when he posted stunning pictures of his first visit to Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello, Italy, where he greeted engineers and staff.
His first two Instagram posts since his move to Ferrari have received nearly 10 million likes.
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The seven-time world champion has left Mercedes after 12 years with the Silver Arrows, replacing Carlos Sainz at Ferrari and forming a tantalising driver pairing with Charles Leclerc.
If Hamilton manages to clinch an eighth world title to surpass Michael Schumacher, for Ferrari and aged in his 40s, the F1 world might just explode.
Hamilton got the chance to take an old F1 car for a spin on Wednesday around the Ferrari-owned Fiorano Circuit at Maranello.
Watch Hamilton’s first drive in a Ferrari in the video above
Ferrari released a clip of the 40-year-old Brit in their iconic red race suit coming out the old house of founder Enzo Ferrari and hopping into a car.
Supporters could not hide their excitement ahead of the new season, which starts with testing in Bahrain on February 26, saying: “This is absolutely awesome, what a moment.”
A second added: “Still feels like I am stuck in a dream.”
On his first day at the Scuderia base on Monday, Hamilton posed for snaps in front of the iconic house wearing a stylish suit.
He ended his glittering 12-year stay at Mercedes at the end of last season and penned a two-year deal with Ferrari worth a reported A$196 million.
Hamilton’s right-hand woman Angela Cullen is set to join him at Ferrari, having spent the last two years working apart.
Cullen was Hamilton’s physio and assistant from 2016 to 2020, a stint that produced four F1 world titles.
Diehard Hamilton fans couldn’t believe their eyes when Cullen was spotted in a video in the Ferrari garage in a team outfit next to team principal Fred Vasseur and his deputy Jerome D’Ambrosio.
Hamilton’s Project 44 company has reportedly signed Cullen to assist with his new era at Ferrari and as team physio.
Cullen, who had been working with Marcus Armstrong in IndyCar, is expected to attend races alongside Hamilton.
The top comment on the video on F1’s official account said: “Angela Cullen in the background” with a fire emoji.
A second fan said: “YO WE SAW HER.”
Another said: “Is that Angela next to Fred?”
Jerome D'Ambrosio, Frederic Vasseur, and Angela Cullen watching on as Lewis prepares [Riciardo Adami in the background as well] pic.twitter.com/bwsCQ2RPvT
— Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) January 22, 2025
Hamilton’s race engineer Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington isn’t joining him at Ferrari. Riccardo Adami, who did the same role for Carlos Sainz, will be the voice over Hamilton’s radio in 2025.
Some fans missed the chance to see Hamilton driving a Ferrari Formula One car for the first time as fog engulfed the track.
The seven-time world champion has been at the manufacturer’s HQ in Maranello, Italy since the start of the week.
The Sun reports the cameras went over to Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater at the wrong moment, who informed them: “I am afraid your timing is very unfortunate because Lewis Hamilton has just flashed past in the last few seconds.”
Viewers had to wait for him to come around again, but they were left struggling to see the car due to incredibly thick fog.
Fans joked: “He has disappeared in the mist.”
Another commented: “Looks like some kind of a secret reveal. Just need to wait for the mist to clear and we will see Hamilton.”
Around 1,000 fans were at the Fiorano Circuit to get a glimpse of their new hero. Also there were Hamilton’s dad Anthony and his mum Carmen Larbalestier, who was seen taking a photo of her son on her phone in a proud moment.
Hamilton said driving around the track in a Ferrari car was “one of the best feelings” of his life.
“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,” he said Hamilton.
“But driving a Ferrari car for the first time this morning was one of the best feelings of my life.”
Fans are hoping Hamilton can end Ferrari’s 18-year wait for a drivers’ F1 title which has been dominated by Mercedes and Red Bull.
Hamilton won just two Grands Prix — his British GP victory in July ending a two-and-a-half year winless streak — and finished seventh in the 2024 world championship, a mammoth 214 points behind title winner Max Verstappen.
“When I started the car up and drove through that garage door, I had the biggest smile on my face,” added Hamilton.
“It reminded me of the very first time I tested a Formula One car, it was such an exciting and special moment, and here I am, almost 20 years later, feeling those emotions all over again.”
Hamilton is due to unveil his 2025 car at Ferrari’s season launch alongside teammate Charles Leclerc on February 19 at Maranello, with testing in Bahrain the following week.
The 2025 F1 season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16.
— With The Sun, AFP
Originally published as ‘We saw her’: F1 fans spot major Hamilton detail in Ferrari video, iconic photo
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