Ferrari F1: Lewis Hamilton has already asked for changes after his…read more
Lewis Hamilton has officially begun a new chapter in his Formula 1 career, joining Ferrari. The 40-year-old British racing legend was welcomed by a large crowd of enthusiastic fans as he arrived at Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello on Monday. This followed weeks of anticipation and social media posts from Hamilton and the team, building excitement for his arrival.
The first day at Ferrari was marked by several significant moments in Hamilton’s transition to the Scuderia. After some photo sessions, Hamilton met key members of the Ferrari team, who will play an integral role in his quest to secure an eighth World Championship. The day also included an initial immersion into Ferrari’s systems, as Hamilton participated in a session using the team’s simulator. However, despite the use of the simulator, Hamilton made it clear that nothing compares to actual track experience. Given Formula 1’s testing restrictions, the drivers will need to wait until February for the official launch of the 2025 car before they can get behind the wheel in real racing conditions. In the meantime, Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc will race in older single-seaters, gaining what experience they can before the new car debuts.
Even on his first day, Hamilton was quick to make adjustments, demonstrating his proactive approach to adapting to Ferrari’s setup. One of the first requests Hamilton made was for changes to the car’s steering wheel configuration, a vital component of any Formula 1 car. While the exact details of the requested changes remain unspecified, it appears Hamilton has asked for a different layout of the steering wheel buttons. Having become accustomed to the specific button arrangement at Mercedes, Hamilton is now seeking a setup that better suits his needs, particularly for high-speed racing, where quick and efficient changes to the car’s settings are critical.
Adapting to Ferrari’s car and systems will be just one of the many challenges Hamilton faces in his new role. He also needs to adjust to the team culture and work effectively with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami. Hamilton’s former engineer, Peter Bonnington, stayed with Mercedes to focus on supporting Andrea Kimi Antonelli, meaning Hamilton will need to forge a new working relationship with Adami as they strive for success together.
This move to Ferrari represents a significant shift for Hamilton, one of the most successful drivers in F1 history. As he prepares to compete alongside Leclerc, he will be expected to help Ferrari build on its competitive edge in pursuit of the World Championship. However, the transition is not without its challenges, as Hamilton must adapt to a new environment, a different team dynamic, and a car that operates very differently from what he has been accustomed to at Mercedes.
For Hamilton, every aspect of this transition is crucial. The new steering wheel configuration is just one example of how he is ensuring that his needs are met in order to perform at the highest level. It’s clear that he is committed to making this new partnership with Ferrari work, and the coming months will be key in determining how successful this new chapter of his illustrious career will be. With testing restrictions limiting on-track time, Hamilton’s ability to adapt to these changes both on and off the track will play a crucial role in his potential success with the Scuderia in the 2025 season.
