Lewis Hamilton: It's impossible not to give in to Ferrari's passion!

      On Wednesday, the Ferrari team held the first test day this year at the Fiorano circuit. In the morning behind the wheel of the car 2023 SF-23 sat Lewis Hamilton, and in the afternoon he was replaced by Charles Leclair. After the end of the tests, the press service of the Scuderia published the impressions of the drivers about the past day. Lewis Hamilton: "I was lucky that in my career there were many firsts - from the first tests to the first race, podium, victory and title. So I wasn't sure if I would have another special first time, but when I got behind the wheel of the Ferrari for the first time this morning I knew it was one of the best feelings of my life. When I started the car and drove out of the boxes I had a huge smile on my face. It reminded me of my very first test of a Formula 1 car, and here I was almost twenty years later experiencing all those emotions again. I had long known how passionate the Ferrari family is, from all the team staff to the tifosi! But to see it firsthand as a Ferrari driver was amazing. Passion flows through their veins and it's just impossible not to give in to that passion! I'm very grateful for the love I felt from everyone in Maranello this week. We have a lot of work to do, but I can't wait to get started." Charles Leclair: "The first day on track after a vacation is always special. It's nice to come back and see a lot of fans coming to support us. Their energy is very motivating. It was a good day, although when I was working on the track, it was drizzling rain. Of course, it was nice to see Lewis's first laps at the wheel of Ferrari - it's a special moment for him and the team. Now I'm looking forward to getting back behind the wheel next week, when the full preparation for the upcoming season will begin. Frederic Vasseur, team manager: "Every year the first trip to the track is a bit like the first day of school. It was an emotional day, especially as it was Lewis' first day with the team. Welcoming a new driver is always an important moment. Maybe it wasn't such a special day for Charles, but it was nice to see him fit, relaxed and ready to race. On the technical side, Charles and Lewis did their laps in not the best weather, but they got into the atmosphere of the track before the first full test in a month in Bahrain. It was also a warm-up for everyone working in the boxes. That was the only goal for today."