The Italian police are anticipating chaotic scenes in Fiorano surrounding Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari, according to media reports in the country regarding January 21st, the day the British driver will take to the track for the first time in his new team’s car.
Italian journalists report that authorities suspect many fans will flock to the test day. While this is not a first, Hamilton’s appeal is unparalleled. For a year now – his move from Mercedes to Ferrari was announced at the beginning of 2024 – many Ferrari fans have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the seven-time world champion. Now that the first test day in Fiorano is approaching, many do not want to miss this unique moment. Police and local authorities are preparing for traffic congestion and hectic situations.
Hamilton officially joined Ferrari on January 1st. And as early as January 21st, he will get behind the wheel of a Ferrari F1 car for the first time. This is allowed, as apart from the official test days, each team has filming days where the drivers are allowed to drive. This will take place in Fiorano.
In addition, the Italian racing team will likely take advantage of the opportunities offered by the so-called TPC to deploy Hamilton in early February. The ‘Testing of Previous Cars’ allows Ferrari and the Brit to get some mileage under their belts. This way, they can get used to each other before the official Formula 1 winter test later that month in Bahrain.
