Lewis Hamilton has requested some modifications to his new Ferrari SF-25 after the shakedown carried out at Fiorano in latest days. The updates requested by the seven-time world champion are anticipated to be carried out in time for the beginning of pre-season testing in Bahrain, scheduled for Wednesday, February 26.
After the official presentation of the automotive in London, Scuderia Ferrari HP returned to Italy for the standard filming day on the Fiorano monitor. In the course of the check day, Charles Leclerc drove the SF-25 within the morning session, finishing round 30 laps, whereas within the afternoon, it was Hamilton’s flip to get acquainted with the brand new single-seater.
SF-25 sooner than the 2024 model?
Based on unofficial sources, Lewis Hamilton’s greatest time was about 0.8 seconds slower than Charles Leclerc’s, though the 2 drivers adopted completely different applications. Whereas the Monegasque, in his seventh season with Ferrari, was capable of push from the beginning, the Briton centered on familiarizing himself with the crew’s techniques after 11 years with Mercedes.
Regardless of a slower lap time in comparison with Charles Leclerc, the preliminary suggestions on the SF-25 has been optimistic. Based on early analyses, the automotive is 0.4 seconds sooner than final yr’s Ferrari, an encouraging signal for the Maranello crew.
Hamilton requests small changes to the SF-25
Based on Auto Racer, the British driver has requested small modifications to the automotive earlier than the beginning of official testing. These could be comparatively minor particulars, with no substantial variations between his and Leclerc’s setups.
The Briton had already skilled some difficulties throughout his first check with Ferrari final month, significantly relating to the automotive’s pedals. Not like Mercedes, which makes use of Carbon Industrie brakes, Ferrari is supplied with Brembo-supplied supplies, a element that required an adaptation interval for Hamilton.
Throughout his debut with the 2023 Ferrari in January, the Briton reported some difficulties adapting to the braking system, experiencing a number of lock-ups. The crew labored on some pedal modifications for the subsequent check in Barcelona, the place Hamilton, nevertheless, went off the monitor.
Though preliminary theories recommended a attainable monitor irregularity or points associated to the Ferrari engine, the Briton clarified that it was merely a mistake whereas looking for the automotive’s restrict: “I needed to discover the restrict of the automotive as shortly as attainable as a result of I solely have a number of days obtainable.” He then joked: “And I positively succeeded!”
“A very completely different automotive in comparison with Mercedes”
Talking to the media, Lewis Hamilton mentioned the challenges of transitioning to the Ferrari SF-25, highlighting the variations from the vehicles he was used to: “It’s utterly completely different. I assumed it will simply be one other System 1 automotive.” He then defined his impressions on the wheel: “I assumed it will be just like the transition from McLaren to Mercedes. There have been similarities as a result of they had been each powered by Mercedes engines, so the sound, the vibration, had been the identical.”
However with Ferrari, it’s completely different: “It is a utterly completely different transition as a result of the whole lot is new—the engine, the automotive’s configuration, the settings, the terminology utilized by the crew. It has been an ideal expertise attempting to grasp it.” Adapting to the brand new setting takes time, however Lewis Hamilton stated he already feels fairly snug. Now it’s time to focus on Bahrain.
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