Lewis Hamilton’s journey with Ferrari formally started just below two months in the past, however behind the scenes, the difference work is shifting shortly. The seven-time System 1 world champion is changing into extra acquainted not solely together with his new staff of engineers, who will accompany him on observe through the 24 Grands Prix of the 2025 season, but additionally with every little thing that revolves round his work within the automotive.
The British driver has already defined how he spends a whole lot of time within the manufacturing unit with technicians to grasp learn how to 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, but it surely doesn’t imply that the Briton has fully left his earlier expertise behind.
In a System 1 automotive, ergonomics are essential, and it’s no coincidence that many parts are made to swimsuit the particular wants and requests of the drivers, notably in high groups. One of many key components is the steering wheel, which through the years has developed into a real mini-computer related to the management unit to handle not solely the Energy Unit but additionally different features 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 notably evident throughout Sebastian Vettel’s time with the staff, as from his arrival in Maranello, he offered enter and requested modifications on a number of events. Curiously, the steering wheel that Lewis Hamilton will use this 12 months at Ferrari originates from the design created primarily based on Sebastian Vettel’s enter however options adjustments in button format and the 2 paddles used for shifting and clutch management. These modifications goal to offer the absolute best really feel whereas sustaining sure previous habits.
New shift and clutch paddle lever are the obvious components. Lewis Hamilton’s steering wheel from the rear, variations from that of his teammate, Charles Leclerc, are instantly noticeable. These variations stem primarily from selections developed at Mercedes through the years. It isn’t uncommon for a driver, particularly after switching groups, to convey 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 primarily based on his enter, a few of Lewis Hamilton’s requests for his new journey mirror the habits he developed with the Silver Arrows staff.
For instance, the gear shift paddle has been fully redesigned and now has a really totally 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 distinct materials to enhance grip.
In distinction, Charles Leclerc has caught with the identical format he has been accustomed to since his debut in crimson in 2019, with bigger levers positioned decrease, nearly solely 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. Nonetheless, 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 straight away noticeable. It’s logical that, as with different features, the Briton has sought to duplicate in Ferrari sure components he’s accustomed to and which have at all times labored properly for him. The finger casing can be totally different from Leclerc’s, clearly custom-made with 3D printing to suit the driving force’s particular wants.
Subsequent, let’s additionally take a look at the brand new button format and modified software program. The adjustments to the clutch paddle and kit shift paddle are essentially the most vital {hardware} updates, because the entrance part has remained bodily unchanged from the steering wheel that Charles Leclerc additionally makes use of.
Nonetheless, what adjustments is the association of buttons and rotary switches, which the seven-time System 1 world champion has modified to duplicate sure automated actions he had developed with the Mercedes steering wheel. Ferrari’s unit follows a moderately totally different philosophy from Mercedes’, notably relating to 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 vitality 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 best facet, symmetrically, there’s the “Pit verify” button, used to verify the return to the pits, one other navigation button for sub-menus (1+), the pit lane velocity limiter, and the radio activation button. Moreover, the British driver has most well-liked to put the K1 button, which prompts the Energy Unit’s electrical increase, on the entrance.
One other attention-grabbing side is the positioning of the settings for the differential, engine braking, and brake stability, which replicate these Lewis Hamilton used till final 12 months. The rotary swap for the entry differential is on the high left, whereas the high-speed differential is on the high proper. On the left facet, subsequent to the display, is the “brake migration” management for brake changes, whereas on the other facet is the brake stability adjustment.
This results in an attention-grabbing statement: Lewis Hamilton has moved the administration of {the electrical} system, also referred to as 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 distinct format and information presentation in comparison with Charles Leclerc’s, however this side, in addition to on the button preferences, we’ll talk about in a distinct article.
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