Lewis Hamilton tests his Ferrari today for the first time. Is this partnership one of the most iconic in sport? We take a look.

Usually the thought of Formula 1 drivers testing their cars ahead of a new season wouldn’t even approach the realms of interesting. 

But at Fiorano Circuit near Maranello in northern Italy today two tectonic plates of motorsport will collide to kick-start one of F1’s most epic, iconic and legendary partnerships.

It is at that development track that Lewis Hamilton will drive his Ferrari Formula 1 challenger for the first time.

Decked in a black double-breasted suit and trench coat, and stood outside the former home of Enzo Ferrari, Hamilton looked remarkably similar to Michael Schumacher on his first day with the celebrated marque when he arrived in the European powerhouse of motorsport on Monday.

Leaving behind a dynasty

Hamilton has left behind one of the most successful unions in F1 history, the team that gave him six of his seven titles, his engineer Bono and the commercial machine that is Mercedes.

But in his move to Ferrari, announced before the start of last season, Hamilton has negotiated an alliance between the two biggest players in the sport: the premium team and himself.

“Ferrari’s share price surged by over 10 per cent following the announcement of Lewis Hamilton’s move to Scuderia Ferrari,” the founder of SportsInvest Advisory, Achille de Rauglaudre, tells City AM. 

“The union of the most prominent athlete brand with the most iconic team brand in Formula 1 is set to create a powerful commercial alliance.”