Ferrari supporters have been eagerly awaiting the second when Lewis Hamilton will lastly take to the monitor in one among their Components 1 vehicles, a second that’s now on the horizon after practically a yr of anticipation.
Firstly of February 2024, Hamilton made the groundbreaking announcement that he could be leaving Mercedes, his long-time staff, to hitch Ferrari for the ultimate chapter of his F1 profession. With the 2025 season quick approaching, Ferrari enters the brand new marketing campaign with bold targets, hoping to surpass McLaren within the Constructors’ Championship and capitalize on the addition of their new driver pairing.
Charles Leclerc has already established himself as one of the vital constant and dependable drivers on the grid, however the arrival of Hamilton is anticipated to push him to raise his efficiency even additional, making the partnership between the 2 Ferrari drivers one of the vital anticipated in current F1 historical past.
Though Ferrari has been tight-lipped in regards to the precise timing of Hamilton’s first on-track check, it’s extensively speculated that the staff may have him behind the wheel of one among their older vehicles sooner reasonably than later, particularly on condition that groups like Mercedes and Haas have already begun their pre-season runs.
For Hamilton, the transition to Ferrari will probably be not like any change he has skilled since shifting from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013. Even then, the swap was considerably acquainted, as Mercedes had beforehand been McLaren’s engine provider. This time, nevertheless, the transfer to Ferrari will probably be a totally new problem, one that may require a steep studying curve.
A current report from the Italian information media outlet Autoracer has revealed extra about Hamilton’s early steps in adapting to Ferrari, with particulars rising about his simulator classes forward of his first check. Though the Tifosi are desperate to see Hamilton in Ferrari’s iconic pink vehicles, staff principal Frederic Vasseur has opted for a extra behind-the-scenes method, with Hamilton beginning his adaptation within the simulator earlier than heading to the monitor.
Hamilton, who’s allowed limitless working within the simulator, will spend a major period of time refining his abilities and getting acclimatized to Ferrari’s automotive and staff dynamics. Whereas on-track testing will probably be vital for his preparation, most of his work for the 2025 season will happen in Maranello, the place he’ll spend time behind closed doorways getting accustomed to the staff’s processes and methods.
The report suggests that there’s already palpable “optimism and enthusiasm” at Ferrari about Hamilton’s upcoming work at their Maranello manufacturing facility. Hamilton is anticipated to fulfill along with his engineers within the coming days and start his simulator classes quickly after. Whereas Ferrari plans to formally unveil Hamilton and their new SF-25 automotive on February 19, the day following F1’s launch occasion in London, Hamilton may have already made appreciable progress in his preparations by then. His first session within the Ferrari simulator is scheduled for January 20, marking the official begin of his journey with the Scuderia.
Ferrari’s Fiorano check monitor is absolutely booked from January 21 to January 23, with the staff contemplating January 22 to be the “more than likely” date for Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated debut behind the wheel of a Ferrari Components 1 automotive. Nonetheless, the schedule stays topic to vary, as unfavorable climate situations may push the check to a special date. Since Hamilton is just permitted 1,000 kilometers of personal working this yr, each he and the staff are decided to not waste any beneficial time, particularly if rain is anticipated.
Hamilton’s first expertise in a Ferrari automotive is not going to contain the staff’s newest 2025 challenger, as Ferrari – together with all different F1 groups – just isn’t allowed to start testing their 2025 vehicles till the official pre-season testing in Bahrain. Groups are permitted two filming days the place they’ll run a present spec automotive for a most of 200 kilometers per day, nevertheless it doesn’t appear that Ferrari will use these filming days previous to their Bahrain check. Subsequently, Hamilton’s preliminary run will happen in one among Ferrari’s older vehicles from the 2022 Components 1 season.
For his first check session, Ferrari will put Hamilton within the F1-75, the automotive from the 2022 season. The main focus is not going to be on outright velocity across the Fiorano circuit however reasonably on Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari’s particular automotive setup, which incorporates familiarizing himself with the staff’s steering wheel, controls, and the refined variations between Ferrari and his former Mercedes equipment.
Hamilton will work carefully with race engineer Riccardo Adami for this check session, as Peter Bonnington, his long-time race engineer from Mercedes, is not going to be becoming a member of him at Ferrari. As a substitute, Peter Bonnington will proceed his partnership with Andrea Kimi Antonelli. This marks a major shift for Hamilton, as he adapts to new staff dynamics, with all of the monitor time he can get being essential within the lead-up to the Australian Grand Prix.
The time spent along with Riccardo Adami will probably be invaluable, as Ferrari’s staff might want to work effectively to make sure Hamilton is absolutely ready for the 2025 season. This partnership is especially important, as former Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel had a lot to say about Riccardo Adami’s affect and position throughout their time working collectively.
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