Piero Ferrari Dismisses Concerns Over Hamilton’s Age Amid…read more 

Piero Ferrari, the son of Scuderia Ferrari’s legendary founder Enzo Ferrari, has brushed aside concerns that Lewis Hamilton may have joined the team too late in his Formula 1 career. His statement comes after Hamilton’s lap times were reportedly slower than those of his new Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, during a recent Pirelli tyre test in Barcelona.

As Hamilton prepares for his debut season with Ferrari in 2025, he is facing both high expectations and some early challenges. After spending over a decade with Mercedes and winning six of his seven world championships with the Silver Arrows, Hamilton made the highly anticipated switch to Ferrari on a multi-year contract. His arrival at Maranello was met with great enthusiasm from fans and team members alike.

However, his early experience with the team has been mixed. Last week, Hamilton suffered a setback when he crashed heavily during a TPC (Testing of Previous Car) session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The incident led to significant damage to the car, which required extensive repairs. The situation was further complicated by the fact that the delays prevented Leclerc from getting any track time that day.

Ferrari’s Pirelli Tyre Test in Barcelona

Following the crash, Ferrari returned to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this week for a scheduled Pirelli tyre test. The test was designed to assist the tyre manufacturer in developing new compounds for the 2026 Formula 1 season. Both Ferrari and McLaren provided modified versions of their older cars, known as mule cars, for the testing program.

While the test was not representative of actual racing conditions, the lap times were still published, offering an early comparison between Hamilton and Leclerc in identical machinery. On the first day of testing, Hamilton managed to set the fastest lap time among the two Ferrari drivers, clocking a 1:15.930 lap, which was 0.130 seconds quicker than Leclerc’s best effort. Despite this, both Ferrari drivers were behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, who was driving a modified version of the team’s 2023 car.

However, reports from the second day of testing suggested that Leclerc significantly improved his pace, at one point setting a time that was 1.7 seconds quicker than Hamilton’s best lap. This discrepancy in lap times has led to speculation about Hamilton’s adaptation to the Ferrari car and whether he can still perform at his peak level.

Piero Ferrari’s Defense of Hamilton

In response to these concerns, Piero Ferrari has defended Hamilton, dismissing fears that the seven-time world champion may have joined the team at a point in his career when he is past his prime. Ferrari emphasized that Hamilton remains in excellent physical and mental condition and has the ability to compete at the highest level.

“He is fit, both physically and mentally; it doesn’t seem to me that age is a problem,” Ferrari stated, reaffirming his confidence in the British driver. He also pointed out that Hamilton’s experience and talent are invaluable assets for the Scuderia as they aim to fight for championships in the coming seasons.

Despite the early challenges, Hamilton himself has expressed excitement about his transition to Ferrari. After getting behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car for the first time, he described the experience as a special moment, comparing it to the excitement he felt when he first tested an F1 car as a young driver.

Hamilton’s Ferrari Journey Begins

Although the testing results may not be fully representative of Hamilton’s actual performance potential, they have fueled discussions about how he will adapt to Ferrari’s machinery. Given his impressive track record, many expect Hamilton to find his rhythm as he gains more time behind the wheel.

His first official race with Ferrari will take place at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix in March, where he will aim to make a strong debut. With an eighth world title still within reach, Hamilton will be eager to prove that his move to Ferrari was the right decision and that he remains one of the top drivers in Formula 1.