Ferrari supporters have been eagerly awaiting the second when Lewis Hamilton will lastly take to the monitor in one in all their System 1 automobiles, a second that’s now on the horizon after practically a yr of anticipation.
Firstly of February 2024, Hamilton made the groundbreaking announcement that he can be leaving Mercedes, his long-time staff, to affix Ferrari for the ultimate chapter of his F1 profession. With the 2025 season quick approaching, Ferrari enters the brand new marketing campaign with formidable targets, hoping to surpass McLaren within the Constructors’ Championship and capitalize on the addition of their new driver pairing.
Charles Leclerc has already established himself as one of the vital constant and dependable drivers on the grid, however the arrival of Hamilton is predicted to push him to raise his efficiency even additional, making the partnership between the 2 Ferrari drivers one of the vital anticipated in current F1 historical past.
Though Ferrari has been tight-lipped in regards to the precise timing of Hamilton’s first on-track take a look at, it’s extensively speculated that the staff may have him behind the wheel of one in all their older automobiles sooner moderately than later, particularly provided that groups like Mercedes and Haas have already begun their pre-season runs.
For Hamilton, the transition to Ferrari will likely be not like any change he has skilled since shifting from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013. Even then, the change was considerably acquainted, as Mercedes had beforehand been McLaren’s engine provider. This time, nevertheless, the transfer to Ferrari will likely be a totally new problem, one that can require a steep studying curve.
A current report from the Italian information media outlet Autoracer has revealed extra about Hamilton’s early steps in adapting to Ferrari, with particulars rising about his simulator periods forward of his first take a look at. Though the Tifosi are desirous to see Hamilton in Ferrari’s iconic pink automobiles, staff principal Frederic Vasseur has opted for a extra behind-the-scenes strategy, with Hamilton beginning his adaptation within the simulator earlier than heading to the monitor.
Hamilton, who’s allowed limitless operating within the simulator, will spend a big period of time refining his expertise and getting acclimatized to Ferrari’s automobile and staff dynamics. Whereas on-track testing will likely be vital for his preparation, most of his work for the 2025 season will happen in Maranello, the place he’ll spend time behind closed doorways getting conversant in the staff’s processes and techniques.
The report suggests that there’s already palpable “optimism and enthusiasm” at Ferrari about Hamilton’s upcoming work at their Maranello manufacturing unit. Hamilton is predicted to fulfill along with his engineers within the coming days and start his simulator periods quickly after. Whereas Ferrari plans to formally unveil Hamilton and their new SF-25 automobile on February 19, the day following F1’s launch occasion in London, Hamilton may have already made appreciable progress in his preparations by then. His first session within the Ferrari simulator is scheduled for January 20, marking the official begin of his journey with the Scuderia.
Ferrari’s Fiorano take a look at monitor is absolutely booked from January 21 to January 23, with the staff contemplating January 22 to be the “probably” date for Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated debut behind the wheel of a Ferrari System 1 automobile. Nonetheless, the schedule stays topic to alter, as unfavorable climate situations might push the take a look at to a special date. Since Hamilton is simply permitted 1,000 kilometers of personal operating this yr, each he and the staff are decided to not waste any beneficial time, particularly if rain is predicted.
Hamilton’s first expertise in a Ferrari automobile won’t contain the staff’s newest 2025 challenger, as Ferrari – together with all different F1 groups – shouldn’t be allowed to start testing their 2025 automobiles till the official pre-season testing in Bahrain. Groups are permitted two filming days the place they’ll run a present spec automobile for a most of 200 kilometers per day, however it doesn’t appear that Ferrari will use these filming days previous to their Bahrain take a look at. Due to this fact, Hamilton’s preliminary run will happen in one in all Ferrari’s older automobiles from the 2022 System 1 season.
For his first take a look at session, Ferrari will put Hamilton within the F1-75, the automobile from the 2022 season. The main target won’t be on outright pace across the Fiorano circuit however moderately on Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari’s particular automobile setup, which incorporates familiarizing himself with the staff’s steering wheel, controls, and the delicate variations between Ferrari and his former Mercedes equipment.
Hamilton will work intently with race engineer Riccardo Adami for this take a look at session, as Peter Bonnington, his long-time race engineer from Mercedes, won’t be becoming a member of him at Ferrari. As an alternative, Peter Bonnington will proceed his partnership with Andrea Kimi Antonelli. This marks a big shift for Hamilton, as he adapts to new staff dynamics, with all of the monitor time he can get being essential within the lead-up to the Australian Grand Prix.
The time spent along with Riccardo Adami will likely be invaluable, as Ferrari’s staff might want to work effectively to make sure Hamilton is absolutely ready for the 2025 season. This partnership is especially vital, as former Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel had a lot to say about Riccardo Adami’s affect and position throughout their time working collectively.
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