Lewis Hamilton expressed excitement after realizing his long-awaited dream on his first official day with Ferrari, heralding it as the start of a “new era” for the team. The seven-time Formula One world champion shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, noting the significance of the day and reflecting on his transition from Mercedes to Ferrari after an impressive 12-year run where he secured six world championships.

At the Ferrari factory in Maranello, Hamilton was warmly welcomed by team principal Fred Vasseur and chief executive Benedetto Vigna. Dressed in a sleek black suit, Hamilton captured moments alongside a Ferrari F40 supercar, stating, “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days.” His move to Ferrari shocked many within the racing community, especially after Hamilton had spent over a decade achieving historic milestones with Mercedes, including securing six of his seven world titles.

In his Instagram post, he elaborated, “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.” Looking ahead, Hamilton is eager to shape the future of Ferrari alongside teammate Charles Leclerc, aiming to lead the team to its first driver’s world title since 2007.

Hamilton will debut as a Ferrari driver at the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, with the Formula One season launch event set for February 18 at the O2 Arena, followed by a presentation of Ferrari's 2025 car the next day. Reflecting on his past at Mercedes, he previously stated that he has no regrets and cherishes the relationships forged during his tenure. With a positive outlook, he added, “I’m dedicated to bringing everything I have to deliver for the team, the wider organization, and the fans.”