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 12 months 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 workforce seems to capitalize on their strengthened roster.
Nonetheless, 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 Components 1 profession that he is not going to be behind the wheel of a Mercedes-powered automotive. The British driver might want to alter to the distinctive traits of Ferrari’s engine, together with its drivability and energy supply, which is able to undoubtedly be a big change for Hamilton.
As Hamilton will get to grips together with his new workforce and automotive, it’s going to 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 anticipated to be a tricky 24-race marketing campaign. The pair will first expertise the SF-25 on the Fiorano circuit on February 19, simply in the future after the F175 reside present in London’s O2 Enviornment, which is able to mark Ferrari’s official launch occasion for the brand new automotive.
Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes that the British driver’s arrival on the Maranello workforce has led the workforce to shift their focus, and that the precedence might not be solely on Charles Leclerc. The previous Williams driver means that the workforce’s technique and method may now be tailor-made round Lewis Hamilton’s strengths and expertise, doubtlessly altering the dynamic throughout the workforce as they put together for the challenges of the 2025 season.
Juan Pablo Montoya advised that the scenario at Ferrari may develop into considerably awkward, given how every little thing would unfold. The Colombian racing driver, who competed in Components One from 2001 to 2006, identified that the workforce had at all times prioritized Charles’ success, however now they might be focusing closely on making certain Lewis performs properly. He additionally expressed the view that it wouldn’t make sense for Ferrari to rent Lewis Hamilton, conduct checks, after which focus extra on Charles’ wants than on what the workforce really requires.
Throughout Ferrari’s Pirelli tyre take a look at at Barcelona, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc resumed motion after Hamilton’s crash earlier within the session. Each drivers gathered helpful knowledge on Pirelli’s 2026 tyres, contributing to the workforce’s preparations for the upcoming season.
McLaren additionally participated within the testing, with Lando Norris taking to the observe in an older automotive. Norris accomplished a formidable 159 laps, setting a benchmark that was greater than seven-tenths sooner than the most effective occasions set by Hamilton and Leclerc. Nonetheless, the context behind these lap occasions is vital, because the testing circumstances and different variables may have performed a big 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 almost the identical variety of laps (87 for Lewis Hamilton and 86 for Charles Leclerc). This consequence is a promising indicator as Ferrari seems forward to the pre-season take a look at in Bahrain’s Sakhir circuit, which is simply two weeks away. The workforce is raring to make a robust begin with their revamped automotive, which has undergone vital modifications over the winter break.
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