Christian Horner believes the Ferrari colours ‘suit Lewis Hamilton’ after pictures from the Brit’s first week in Maranello went viral. The seven-time world champion is preparing for his first season with the Italian constructor after leaving Mercedes in 2024.
Last week was Hamilton’s first as a Ferrari driver, and the partnership kicked off in a style that only the legendary Brit could manage. He was first photographed in a dashing suit, standing outside Enzo Ferrari’s old residence in Maranello with the Ferrari F40 supercar behind him.
Hamilton then enjoyed his first test in old machinery, taking to the Fiorano test track in the SF-23 in front of thousands of adoring members of the Tifosi. It was an emotional day for the legendary Brit, who had his close family with him at the circuit.
Speaking at the Autosport Awards in London, Horner previewed the season. “Look, I think it is going to be super tight,” he said. “You’re going to have four teams that are going to be very competitive.
“So I think it’s going to be very tight, and take your pick… McLaren are going to be strong, Ferrari are going to be strong, Mercedes are going to have something to prove as well. So it could be a stellar year.”
Asked if he’s been keeping tabs on Hamilton’s early days with Ferrari, Horner responded: “I’ve seen some pictures, I think it suits him! Look, I think it is great for Formula One. Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari… that really is box office. So I think it’s just another dynamic for this year that could be super exciting.”
It hasn’t all been plain sailing for Hamilton, though. In his second test, an outing alongside Charles Leclerc at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in the 2023 spec machine, he suffered a minor crash, causing damage to the SF-23.
The contact ultimately curtailed his session and impacted new team-mate Charles Leclerc, who was scheduled to hit the track in the same car after Hamilton. The Brit will get a chance to put things right in another test in Barcelona next week, driving the SF-24 in a controlled Pirelli tyre test.
Hamilton will then get his final taste of pre-season action during February’s testing sessions in Bahrain, where all teams will put their new challengers on the track for the first time. Ferrari have high expectations for their latest car as they look to avenge their Constructors’ Championship heartbreak in 2024.
