Lewis Hamilton Faces Pedal Issues During First Ferrari Test at Fiorano
Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated debut with Ferrari encountered minor setbacks as pedal issues disrupted his first on-track test at Fiorano this week. The seven-time World Champion joined Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season after leaving Mercedes, marking a significant chapter in his illustrious career.
Hamilton’s introduction to Ferrari began with meetings at the team’s Maranello headquarters, where he met his new colleagues and familiarized himself with his new surroundings. The visit culminated in a private test session on Wednesday at Ferrari’s Fiorano track, where he drove the team’s 2023 car, the SF-23, completing 30 laps—approximately 89 kilometers.
The test marked Hamilton’s first opportunity to adapt to Ferrari’s machinery after an 11-year stint with Mercedes. Members of Hamilton’s family attended the session, adding a personal touch to the momentous occasion. Hundreds of passionate Ferrari fans, known as the Tifosi, gathered at the circuit to witness the iconic driver’s debut with the Scuderia. Hamilton later took time to greet the fans, cementing his connection with his new supporters.
However, reports from Motorsport.com’s Italian edition revealed that Hamilton faced challenges during the test due to discomfort with the car’s pedal setup. Despite making several adjustments, the issue persisted, leading to a couple of errors as Hamilton pushed the limits of the car. On two occasions, Hamilton locked the brakes at the first corner and the Fiorano hairpin, narrowly avoiding the gravel run-off areas.
Ferrari is already working on resolving the pedal problem before the team’s second private test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the venue for the Spanish Grand Prix, scheduled for next week.
Despite the setbacks, Hamilton showed promising adaptability to the Ferrari steering wheel, transitioning smoothly from Mercedes’ controls. Initial concerns that Hamilton might require significant modifications to replicate the setup he had grown accustomed to at Mercedes were quickly dispelled. Hamilton reportedly requested only minor changes to the steering wheel’s layout, demonstrating his ability to adapt.
Hamilton’s early collaboration with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, has also been described as positive. Adami, who has worked with drivers like Carlos Sainz and four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel, is expected to play a pivotal role in Hamilton’s integration into the team.
Hamilton’s new teammate, Charles Leclerc, also participated in the Fiorano test, taking over the car in the afternoon session. Leclerc, entering his seventh full season with Ferrari, completed 14 laps in wet conditions, providing additional data for the team.
While Ferrari has not disclosed lap times from the private session, the test offered a crucial first step in Hamilton’s journey with the team. With Ferrari addressing the pedal issues, expectations are high as Hamilton prepares for the next phase of testing in Barcelona.
The partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari has generated significant excitement in the motorsport world, and fans are eager to see how the British driver will perform in the iconic red car as the 2025 season approaches.
