Lewis Hamilton experiments live on at Ferrari as fresh test… read more
Lewis Hamilton’s first test for Ferrari has revealed that the seven-time F1 World Champion is not simply going through the motions, but actively experimenting with different settings and adjustments to get familiar with the team’s car. According to Italian racing driver and Sky Italy presenter Vicky Piria, Hamilton was keen to understand how the car’s various systems work, even in challenging conditions at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track.
Hamilton’s debut for Ferrari came after he met with the team at their Maranello headquarters. He took to the track for his first run in a Ferrari F1 car on Wednesday, driving the team’s 2023 car. Despite the wet and cold conditions, Hamilton completed 30 laps. He described the experience as one of the most fulfilling of his career, emphasizing his excitement about the new chapter with Ferrari.
While the conditions were far from ideal, Hamilton did not just go through the motions of installation laps. Instead, he focused on trying out various elements of the car’s setup, including the differential and brake balance. Piria, who was trackside during the test, noted that Hamilton was actively working on these adjustments, rather than simply getting used to the car. She mentioned that Hamilton was keen on transferring the sensations from the simulator to the real track, tweaking settings on the steering wheel to better understand their effects.
Hamilton’s approach to the test was methodical, as he looked to fine-tune his understanding of the Ferrari’s systems. Piria pointed out that Hamilton was not pushing the car to its limits but instead focusing on familiarizing himself with its balance and handling. She said this marked a step forward for the champion as he prepared for the upcoming F1 season, which will kick off in Australia.
However, Hamilton did face some challenges during his Fiorano test, particularly with the car’s pedal system. Trackside reports indicated that the pedals were not entirely to his liking, leading him to experiment with different adjustments. As a result, Hamilton struggled with brake locking at two key corners on the track—the first corner and the hairpin. On both occasions, he nearly lost control and came close to running off into the gravel. These issues are expected to be addressed before Hamilton’s next test in Barcelona, which is scheduled for early February.
Despite these early difficulties, Hamilton is said to have adapted quickly to the Ferrari’s steering wheel, with only a few minor adjustments requested. There were initial concerns that he might want to stick with the control systems and settings he had become accustomed to at Mercedes over the years. However, it appears that Hamilton is open to making the necessary adjustments to better suit his new car.
Ferrari is planning another private test in Barcelona next week, where both Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc will participate in a Pirelli tyre test with a modified 2024 car. The Barcelona session will be an important step as Ferrari continues preparations for the 2025 F1 season. The interest in Hamilton’s move to Ferrari remains high, with hundreds of tifosi—Ferrari’s passionate fanbase—attending the Fiorano test and the session being broadcast live by Sky Italy.
With the first test under his belt, Hamilton’s integration into Ferrari appears to be moving smoothly, though adjustments to the car and systems will continue as the team prepares for the season ahead.
