Lewis Hamilton seems to be thriving in his new atmosphere at Ferrari as he gears up for his much-anticipated debut season with the enduring Italian group. The seven-time world champion has been totally immersed in preparations, working behind the scenes to make sure he is able to problem for what could possibly be a historic eighth System 1 title.
His transition to Ferrari has already included a number of check periods, with runs at Fiorano and the Circuit de Catalunya, the latter a part of a program for evaluating the 2026 tyre specs. Every of those outings has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the Tifosi, with hundreds of followers gathering to witness Lewis Hamilton’s first laps in Ferrari equipment. His preliminary check in an older Scuderia mannequin drew huge crowds, and the thrill solely intensified when he lastly obtained behind the wheel of the SF-25 single-seater at Fiorano this week.
Ferrari’s 2025 contender incorporates a revamped entrance suspension designed to enhance the automotive’s efficiency and convey it nearer to the extent of Purple Bull and McLaren. Whereas there may be immense anticipation surrounding what the season might deliver, Hamilton has highlighted one explicit side of his new journey that he finds extra pleasing on the Maranello group than he did at his former group.
Lewis Hamilton Finds Newfound Enjoyment in Pre-Season Testing with Ferrari
Regardless of his legendary standing within the sport, Lewis Hamilton has by no means been identified for his enthusiasm relating to simulator periods or in depth testing days. Throughout his time at Mercedes, he usually restricted his participation in pre-season testing and even admitted prior to now to having “pulled a sickie” to keep away from notably grueling periods. The lengthy hours and repetitive nature of check applications by no means appealed to him.
Nevertheless, talking to the BBC, the British driver revealed that he now finds pre-season testing extra pleasing at Ferrari than he did at Mercedes. The distinction, he defined, comes from the truth that he has a lot extra to study in his new atmosphere. The necessity to familiarize himself with Ferrari’s programs, processes, and automotive traits has added a recent problem, making the sometimes monotonous testing days much more partaking and rewarding.
Lewis Hamilton expressed his pleasure about having extra driving time than traditional throughout pre-season, noting that whereas he has by no means been notably keen on testing, he has discovered it pleasing to expertise the fully new really feel of the automotive and engine whereas getting snug within the cockpit.
The British driver additionally identified that Ferrari’s steering wheel has extra buttons and lights in comparison with what he was used to prior to now. He emphasised the significance of fine-tuning every part earlier than the primary race, aiming to have all settings optimized upfront moderately than spending the primary six months making changes. He highlighted the numerous effort that has gone into this preparation.
Ferrari’s First Impressions of Working with Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton has already begun to make an affect at Ferrari, each on and off the monitor, as he settles into his new atmosphere. His arrival on the group has been met with pleasure, and he supplied a succinct however significant response when requested in regards to the expertise of driving for Ferrari on the current F1 75 occasion in London, the place he acquired an enthusiastic reception from followers.
Since becoming a member of the Maranello-based outfit, Hamilton has been placing in important effort behind the scenes to combine himself into the group. His adaptation course of has included not solely familiarizing himself with Ferrari’s operations but in addition selecting up Italian phrases to higher join with the group and its tradition.
Adjusting to life at Ferrari has not been with out its challenges, as Hamilton has overtly acknowledged. Transferring to an Italian group after spending his whole System 1 profession with British-based outfits has required a serious cultural shift, and he admitted that the transition has been demanding within the early weeks.
Regardless of the challenges, Hamilton has already earned the admiration of these throughout the group. Former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi has praised the seven-time world champion, revealing that he has “impressed everyone” he has labored with thus far. In line with Jean Alesi, the British driver’s dedication, professionalism, and the best way he has performed himself behind the scenes have made a powerful impression on the group.