Lewis Hamilton Faces Two Close Calls Ahead of 2025 F1 Se…..read more
As the 2025 Formula One season approaches, all eyes are on Lewis Hamilton as he embarks on a new chapter with Ferrari after an illustrious 12-year career at Mercedes. The seven-time world champion, who turned 40 this year, has faced early challenges with his new team, including two incidents that have raised concerns about his adaptation and safety.
Promotional Event in Milan: A Moment of Uncertainty
On March 6, 2025, Hamilton and his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc participated in a high-profile promotional event in Milan’s Piazza Castello. Organized by Ferrari’s sponsor, UniCredit, the event was designed to showcase the team’s new driver lineup and engage fans ahead of the upcoming season. Approximately 35,000 spectators gathered in the historic square to witness the spectacle, eager to see Hamilton behind the wheel of a Ferrari for the first time in a public setting.
For the event, Hamilton drove the Ferrari SF21, while Leclerc took charge of the SF90. The duo thrilled the crowd with synchronized driving maneuvers, burnouts, and high-speed demonstrations, giving fans a taste of the Scuderia’s energy and excitement for the new season.
However, what was meant to be a routine celebration nearly turned into an accident for Hamilton. As he exited his car to greet the fans, he unknowingly stepped onto the front left tire, which had been jacked up. This small but critical detail caused the tire to rotate unexpectedly, momentarily throwing Hamilton off balance. Fortunately, he landed safely on another stationary tire beneath him and managed to regain his footing without any injuries.
While the incident was minor, it could have had serious consequences. A twisted ankle or even a minor strain at this stage of pre-season preparations could have jeopardized his performance in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. The moment served as a reminder of how even seemingly harmless situations can pose risks in the world of motorsport.
Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain: A String of Bizarre Disruptions
Hamilton’s moment in Milan was not the only incident that raised concerns. Just a week earlier, during pre-season testing in Bahrain, the British driver encountered a series of unusual and unexpected events that disrupted his testing sessions.
Pre-season testing is crucial for teams and drivers to fine-tune their cars, gather performance data, and get comfortable with the new season’s regulations. However, Ferrari’s preparations were repeatedly interrupted due to a combination of external factors and on-track hazards.
One of the most bizarre disruptions came when a bus unexpectedly entered the track, triggering a red flag and forcing all cars to return to the pits. The appearance of a vehicle unrelated to F1 operations on an active circuit raised serious safety concerns and left teams baffled.
Adding to the chaos, a glass panel from the start-finish box shattered, scattering debris onto the track and causing another delay. Track officials had to ensure that all fragments were cleared before resuming testing, further cutting into the limited track time available.
If that wasn’t enough, yet another odd interruption occurred when a quad bike was spotted on the track. The presence of such a vehicle on an F1 circuit during official testing was highly unusual and raised further questions about track security.
Challenges and Adaptation: Hamilton’s Ferrari Journey Begins with Unexpected Hurdles
For Hamilton, these incidents have made his transition to Ferrari even more eventful than anticipated. Moving to a new team after over a decade with Mercedes was already a significant change, requiring him to adapt to new engineers, a different car philosophy, and a fresh working environment. The unexpected incidents in both Milan and Bahrain have added another layer of complexity to his pre-season experience.
Despite these challenges, Hamilton remains focused on making his Ferrari debut a successful one. Fans and analysts are eager to see how he will perform in his first race with the Italian team at the Australian Grand Prix. With Ferrari determined to challenge for the championship, Hamilton’s ability to adapt and overcome early hurdles will be crucial in shaping the team’s 2025 campaign.
While the pre-season has not been without drama, Hamilton’s resilience and experience suggest he will be ready when the lights go out in Melbourne. The road to the 2025 season has been anything but smooth for the F1 legend, but if history has shown anything, it’s that Hamilton thrives under pressure.
