Lewis Hamilton’s journey with Ferrari formally started slightly below two months in the past, however behind the scenes, the difference work is transferring rapidly. The seven-time System 1 world champion is turning into extra acquainted not solely together with his new group of engineers, who will accompany him on observe through the 24 Grands Prix of the 2025 season, but additionally with every part that revolves round his work within the automobile.
The British driver has already defined how he spends quite a lot of time within the manufacturing facility with technicians to know how you can finest exploit the qualities of Ferrari’s Energy Unit, as every engine has its personal particular traits. This adaptation is critical, particularly after spending over ten years at Mercedes, however it doesn’t imply that the Briton has fully left his earlier expertise behind.
In a System 1 automobile, ergonomics are essential, and it’s no coincidence that many elements are made to swimsuit the precise wants and requests of the drivers, significantly in prime groups. One of many key parts is the steering wheel, which over time has advanced into a real mini-computer related to the management unit to handle not solely the Energy Unit but additionally different elements of the car’s dynamics.
Ferrari has at all times sought to accommodate drivers’ requests, each by way of the steering wheel’s form and software program configuration. This course of was significantly evident throughout Sebastian Vettel’s time with the group, as from his arrival in Maranello, he supplied enter and requested modifications on a number of events. Apparently, the steering wheel that Lewis Hamilton will use this 12 months at Ferrari originates from the design created based mostly on Sebastian Vettel’s enter however options modifications in button structure and the 2 paddles used for shifting and clutch management. These modifications goal to offer the very best really feel whereas sustaining sure previous habits.
New shift and clutch paddle lever are the obvious parts. Lewis Hamilton’s steering wheel from the rear, variations from that of his teammate, Charles Leclerc, are instantly noticeable. These variations stem primarily from decisions developed at Mercedes over time. It isn’t uncommon for a driver, particularly after switching groups, to deliver sure options from the steering wheels utilized in earlier groups. It’s subsequently logical that, after spending over ten years at Mercedes, the place he used a virtually similar steering wheel since 2014 when it was fully redesigned right into a slimmer and lighter unit based mostly on his enter, a few of Lewis Hamilton’s requests for his new journey replicate the habits he developed with the Silver Arrows group.
For instance, the gear shift paddle has been fully redesigned and now has a really completely different form, with the levers not solely thinner but additionally positioned greater, adopting a design just like the one he had authorized at Mercedes. Moreover, the outer finish encompasses a coating product of a special materials to enhance grip.
In distinction, Charles Leclerc has caught with the identical structure he has been accustomed to since his debut in purple in 2019, with bigger levers positioned decrease, virtually totally behind the spokes of the steering wheel.
In depth work has additionally been performed on the clutch lever. Since 2019, the seven-time System 1 world champion has been used to managing the clutch with a single paddle, and he has carried over the identical configuration to the Ferrari steering wheel. Nevertheless, there are variations in comparison with the lever utilized by Charles Leclerc, not solely within the casing the place the fingers relaxation but additionally within the paddle itself.
In Lewis Hamilton’s case, the similarity with the one he had at Mercedes is instantly noticeable. It’s logical that, as with different elements, the Briton has sought to copy in Ferrari sure parts he’s accustomed to and which have at all times labored effectively for him. The finger casing can be completely different from Leclerc’s, clearly custom-made with 3D printing to suit the motive force’s particular wants.
Subsequent, let’s additionally take a look at the brand new button structure and modified software program. The modifications to the clutch paddle and kit shift paddle are essentially the most important {hardware} updates, because the entrance part has remained bodily unchanged from the steering wheel that Charles Leclerc additionally makes use of.
Nevertheless, what modifications is the association of buttons and rotary switches, which the seven-time System 1 world champion has modified to copy sure automated actions he had developed with the Mercedes steering wheel. Ferrari’s unit follows a fairly completely different philosophy from Mercedes’, significantly concerning the decrease part selectors, that are six in quantity, whereas Mercedes mixed them into three rotary switches with quite a few secondary sub-menus.
Specializing in the higher part, Lewis Hamilton has moved the “cost” button for power restoration to the higher left, accompanied by the navigation button for sub-menus (10-) and the impartial button. Beneath the cost button is the drag discount system button, which Lewis Hamilton additionally had on the entrance of the steering wheel at Mercedes.
On the suitable aspect, symmetrically, there’s the “Pit verify” button, used to substantiate the return to the pits, one other navigation button for sub-menus (1+), the pit lane pace limiter, and the radio activation button. Moreover, the British driver has most well-liked to position the K1 button, which prompts the Energy Unit’s electrical enhance, on the entrance.
One other attention-grabbing side is the positioning of the settings for the differential, engine braking, and brake steadiness, which replicate these Lewis Hamilton used till final 12 months. The rotary change for the entry differential is on the prime left, whereas the high-speed differential is on the prime proper. On the left aspect, subsequent to the display screen, is the “brake migration” management for brake changes, whereas on the alternative aspect is the brake steadiness adjustment.
This results in an attention-grabbing commentary: Lewis Hamilton has moved the administration of {the electrical} system, also called SOC, to the decrease a part of the steering wheel—one thing no Ferrari driver has performed since 2015. The software program on the show can be new, that includes a special structure and knowledge presentation in comparison with Charles Leclerc’s, however this side, in addition to on the button preferences, we’ll talk about in a special article.
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