Hamilton set for early Ferrari F1 debut

Lewis Hamilton is set to make his Ferrari debut early next year, according to reports in Italian media. 

The seven-time world champion announced ahead of the 2024 F1 season that it would be his last for Mercedes, to complete a ground-breaking move to Ferrari on a multi-year deal. 

Hamilton is replacing Carlos Sainz and will partner Charles Leclerc, who finished third in the most recent drivers' championship. 

The F1 veteran will make his official debut for Ferrari at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix mid-March, although he will, of course, also complete winter testing in Bahrain at the end of February.

However, Italian media has speculated an early debut for the 105-time race winner, in a private test, normally held in Italy as well as Spain. 

Traditionally, the first private test takes place at Ferrari's own Fiorano circuit, with RacingNews365 expecting the Italian outfit to then travel to Barcelona for a second private winter test.

Ferrari conducted tests at both venues last year. F1 teams do have the opportunity to test with older cars under the so-called TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) regulations, something Ferrari is likely to make the most of.

The exact date of Hamilton's first private Ferrari test is still unknown, although a January TPC test would make sense. It is expected that the 39-year-old will also drive in a filming day.

Teams are allowed two filming days per season, with a maximum distance of 400 kilometres.

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur recently announced that Ferrari will present its new car on February 19.