Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari have begun their preparations for 2025, with the 7-time Champion tasked with acclimatising to a new team. Having narrowly missed out on last year’s constructors title, Ferrari are among the favourites to fight for the crown this season.
This is one of many reasons that Hamilton’s integration at Maranello is so important.
Alongside the immensely talented Charles Leclerc, the British driver is getting into his rhythm ahead of the new season.
Hamilton and Ferrari satisfied with initial test runs
At this stage of the year, drivers are still shaking off the winter rust ahead of pre-season testing.
Only when the teams arrive in Bahrain will the grid experience their first laps in the 2025 cars.
However, this does not mean the winter months are uneventful for drivers. Across the field, a series of Pirelli tyre tests and TPC (Testing of Previous car) runs are taking place.
For someone like Lewis Hamilton, one of many drivers arriving at a new team, the last few weeks have been especially important.
Hamilton has already completed significant mileage in the SF-23 and SF-24, the last two F1 cars produced by Ferrari.
The 40-year-old is working hard to acclimatise at the factory at Maranello, spending time with engineers and getting up to speed with the team’s procedures.
Simulator work with the SF-25, Ferrari’s 2025 challenger, is also of increasing importance.
The Italian team have bold ambitions for this season, with an aggressive series of aerodynamic changes planned for this season.
Having established a baseline they feel confident in, the Maranello team are pushing the boundaries. 99% of the components on this year’s challenger will be brand new.
Aside from the obvious intention of delivering more performance, this means Leclerc – not just Hamilton – must adapt to a relatively new machine.
Speaking of adaptation, Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari are understood to be satisfied with their track time so far.
Not only is the 7-time Champion becoming familiar with the team’s procedures, but he felt comfortable in last year’s SF-24 – an encouraging sign as he prepares to drive its successor.
With teammate Leclerc, Hamilton completed well over a race distance in the Pirelli tyre test at Barcelona.
It was at this test where Hamilton first used the custom pedal modifications that he requested.
As reported by Gazzetta, he was happy with this adjustment – allowing him to feel more comfortable in the Ferrari.
The Development race
Of course, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur did not sign Lewis Hamilton on the assumption he would struggle to perform.
The Frenchman, who has overseen significant progress at Maranello since arriving in 2023, is confident his latest signing will hit the ground running.
The biggest unknown for Ferrari, as with every other team, is how competitive their car will be. On paper, there is every reason the Scuderia should fight at the front.
Even a relatively lousy winter of development should still be enough to fight for podiums and occasional wins.
However, as touched upon previously, the only aim for Vasseur’s team in 2025 is to win the Championship.
Not only in terms of pure performance, but also from an operational and strategic standpoint, Ferrari took a clear step forward last year.
Although McLaren were faster for the majority of the season, the Italian outfit almost eclipsed them in the team’s Championship.
Partly because of this, Ferrari’s decision to introduce a relatively radical concept change has surprised some people.
Typically, the final season of a regulatory cycle does not involved such large-scale alterations.
With that said, other front-runners have opted for a similar approach. Most notably McLaren, who were faster than anyone last year, are also pursuing a radical change in philosophy.
This creates another unknown for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari in 2025 – with several teams in contention to set the standard.
