Lewis Hamilton to improve as he is more interested in…read more
Lewis Hamilton has had a promising start to his new chapter with Ferrari, as the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion continues to get familiar with the team’s cars during pre-season testing. Having spent his entire career racing with Mercedes-powered cars since his debut in 2007, this marks his first experience with a Ferrari engine. Ferrari has prepared Hamilton thoroughly, putting him through a series of tests including the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) and Pirelli tyre testing to get him up to speed for the 2025 season.
Hamilton’s first public test took place at Fiorano, where he was greeted by more than 1,000 fans. Unfortunately, fog and the threat of rain limited his ability to push the limits of the car. However, a private test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya allowed Hamilton to drive more freely, although it didn’t go without incident. During the test, he suffered a crash at Turn 12, though he quickly recovered to continue with Pirelli’s 2026 tyre test programme. Ferrari also had Hamilton test a modified version of their 2024 car, in line with the new F1 regulations expected in 2026.
Despite the challenges, one of the most significant outcomes from Hamilton’s tests was his immediate comfort behind the wheel of Ferrari’s cars, something that surprised many considering the struggles of his teammates Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in the SF-23 and the modified SF-24. The SF-23 was widely regarded as a difficult car to handle, and the SF-24 wasn’t considered a major improvement. However, Hamilton expressed confidence and comfort in both cars, something that was striking considering the challenges Sainz and Leclerc had faced.
Interestingly, Hamilton even noted that he felt more at ease in Ferrari’s cars than in his last Mercedes machine. Despite securing wins at the British and Belgian Grands Prix in 2023, Hamilton faced a challenging season in 2024, achieving his lowest-ever season finish in F1. The ease with which he adapted to Ferrari’s machinery stood in stark contrast to the struggles of his final season with Mercedes. The positive feelings Hamilton has expressed could be a sign of the confidence he’s building in Ferrari’s setup as he looks ahead to a new chapter in his illustrious career.
Hamilton’s praise for Ferrari’s cars, despite their mixed reputation, has led to optimism within the Scuderia camp. The fact that he has been able to extract such good feedback from a car that other top drivers have struggled with bodes well for his transition into the team. This initial comfort suggests that Ferrari could benefit from having such a seasoned champion on board as they aim to challenge for the title in the coming seasons.
