Lewis Hamilton is simply weeks away from making his official debut as a Ferrari driver at the Australian Grand Prix, a second that has been over a yr within the making since he introduced his shock departure from Mercedes forward of the 2024 season. Ferrari finds itself within the strongest place it has been in for a while, with a real probability at difficult for the drivers’ championship this season.
For the primary time in years, the Scuderia boasts a star-studded lineup, with Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, becoming a member of forces with the proficient Charles Leclerc, a two-time Italian Grand Prix winner. This pairing has generated immense pleasure amongst Ferrari followers, because the group seems to be to capitalize on their strengthened roster.
Nevertheless, Anthony Davidson has cautioned Hamilton concerning the problem that lies forward as he adapts to Ferrari’s energy unit, marking the primary time in his illustrious 18-year Method 1 profession that he is not going to be behind the wheel of a Mercedes-powered automobile. The British driver might want to alter to the distinctive traits of Ferrari’s engine, together with its drivability and energy supply, which can undoubtedly be a major change for Hamilton.
As Hamilton will get to grips along with his new group and automobile, it can take a while earlier than he’s totally able to competing on the entrance of the pack constantly. Eddie Jordan has already suggested the Monegasque to capitalize on the early a part of the season to construct a bonus over Hamilton in what is predicted to be a tricky 24-race marketing campaign. The pair will first expertise the SF-25 on the Fiorano circuit on February 19, simply sooner or later after the F175 reside present in London’s O2 Enviornment, which can mark Ferrari’s official launch occasion for the brand new automobile.
Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes that the British driver’s arrival on the Maranello group has led the group to shift their focus, and that the precedence might now not be solely on Charles Leclerc. The previous Williams driver means that the group’s technique and strategy may now be tailor-made round Lewis Hamilton’s strengths and expertise, probably altering the dynamic inside the group as they put together for the challenges of the 2025 season.
Juan Pablo Montoya urged that the scenario at Ferrari may change into considerably awkward, given how all the things would unfold. The Colombian racing driver, who competed in Method One from 2001 to 2006, identified that the group had all the time prioritized Charles’ success, however now they’d be focusing closely on making certain Lewis performs effectively. He additionally expressed the view that it wouldn’t make sense for Ferrari to rent Lewis Hamilton, conduct exams, after which focus extra on Charles’ wants than on what the group truly requires.
Throughout Ferrari’s Pirelli tyre check at Barcelona, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc resumed motion after Hamilton’s crash earlier within the session. Each drivers gathered worthwhile knowledge on Pirelli’s 2026 tyres, contributing to the group’s preparations for the upcoming season.
McLaren additionally participated within the testing, with Lando Norris taking to the monitor in an older automobile. Norris accomplished a formidable 159 laps, setting a benchmark that was greater than seven-tenths sooner than the most effective instances set by Hamilton and Leclerc. Nevertheless, the context behind these lap instances is vital, because the testing situations and different variables may have performed a major function.
What stood out extra was the slight benefit Hamilton had over Leclerc, managing to set a time simply over one-tenth faster regardless of each drivers finishing practically the identical variety of laps (87 for Lewis Hamilton and 86 for Charles Leclerc). This end result is a promising indicator as Ferrari seems to be forward to the pre-season check in Bahrain’s Sakhir circuit, which is simply two weeks away. The group is raring to make a powerful begin with their revamped automobile, which has undergone vital adjustments over the winter break.
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
