Lewis Hamilton Embraces Ferrari Culture Ahead of…read more
With the much-anticipated unveiling of the Ferrari SF-25 set for February 19, Lewis Hamilton has completed his permitted TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) sessions as he prepares for his first season with the iconic Italian team. As part of his transition from Mercedes to Ferrari, Hamilton has been encouraged to integrate into the team’s unique culture, which is deeply embedded in Italian motorsport heritage.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has emphasized the importance of Hamilton embracing Ferrari’s ethos, given its status as Italy’s national racing team. Speaking to Autoracer, Domenicali highlighted how Hamilton’s arrival brings immense global interest to Ferrari and how adapting to the team’s environment will be crucial for his success.
“He is learning to speak Italian and to understand how to integrate into our culture,” Domenicali revealed. “I told him it is fundamental for him to do this as well. In Ferrari, he will find a different environment than before.”
Hamilton has already demonstrated his commitment to this transition. In a recent visit to the Ferrari factory, he addressed the team in Italian, standing alongside his new teammate Charles Leclerc and team principal Frédéric Vasseur. This gesture reinforced his dedication to becoming a true part of the Ferrari family and winning over the passionate Tifosi fanbase.
As Hamilton prepares for his debut Ferrari season, he will share the garage with Charles Leclerc, who has been with the team since 2019 and is a product of the Ferrari Driver Academy. Fluent in Italian and deeply ingrained in the Ferrari culture, Leclerc has built strong relationships within the team over the years.
Former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan believes that Leclerc must assert his dominance early in the season before Hamilton fully acclimates to Ferrari’s environment. Speaking on the Formula For Success podcast, Jordan explained that while Leclerc had a measure of control over his previous teammate, Carlos Sainz, he will now face a much tougher challenge.
“Leclerc is there now seven years. He knows everybody,” Jordan said. “He knows all the people and what to say, the language. He’s the darling of Maranello.”
However, Jordan expects Hamilton to quickly adapt and start delivering strong performances after a few races. “I think Lewis will hit the ground running… well, I think it will take him two or three races. I would urge Leclerc to get on his bike in the early stage because that’s when he’s going to show certain amounts of dominance.”
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari forced Carlos Sainz out of the team, and the Spaniard has since secured a multi-year contract with Williams. With four Grand Prix victories to his name, Sainz now embarks on a new chapter in his F1 career, looking to elevate Williams’ performance in the coming seasons.
As the countdown to the 2025 season continues, all eyes will be on Hamilton’s progress with Ferrari and how he stacks up against Leclerc in what promises to be a thrilling intra-team battle.
