F1, Ferrari: Lewis Hamilton on track in Barcelona for his first run with red car
01/13/2025 06:43 AM
The 2025 Formula 1 season season marks a historic turning point in Lewis Hamilton’s motorsport career as the British driver joins Scuderia Ferrari after twelve years with Mercedes, during which he rewrote most of the Formula 1 records. This move fulfills a childhood dream for the seven-time F1 world champion, who has often expressed his desire to drive for the Prancing Horse throughout his brilliant career. Taking the wheel of the Red car, in short. The myth meets the legend. The arrival of the Lewis Hamilton in Maranello has, as expected, sparked mixed reactions in the world of top-tier motorsport.
Many see this move as Ferrari’s opportunity to reclaim the world title. Others, including insiders, former drivers, and various commentators, view the agreement less favorably. They express doubts about this decision, partly considering it a mere marketing operation while also emphasizing how Lewis Hamilton’s 40 years could weigh heavily on his performance on track. After all, in any profession, the physical and mental challenges of aging can create significant difficulties.
To prepare for this new adventure, Lewis Hamilton has taken the first step of integrating into Ferrari’s culture. For some time now, he has been learning the Italian language, and, although discreetly for the moment, he has been actively participating in the Maranello team’s activities. The British driver has attended several briefings, working closely with Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur. The relationship between the two is excellent. They already knew each other well, having collaborated years ago in what was then GP2. The Italian side is therefore doing everything possible to help Lewis Hamilton integrate as best as possible.
It could not be otherwise. In recent weeks, and in the ones ahead, Charles Leclerc, being deeply familiar with the team, has been doing significant work to help his future Maranello teammate integrate smoothly. Moreover, the significant changes to the 2025 Formula 1 car aim to make the Englishman feel comfortable. The 677 project, which will most likely be known as the Ferrari SF-25 single-seater, is built on very clear premises, aiming to provide maximum support to its drivers with a car that is honest and predictable.
Adapting to a new environment is never easy, especially when it involves Formula 1 and the historic Ferrari team. This is a major life change for the Briton, who leaves his native country to move to Italy. A culture vastly different, not only in how things are managed. The first approach, according to our sources in recent days, has seen a highly enthusiastic Lewis Hamilton. A sort of “mental transformation” was crucial for the former Mercedes driver, who had become mentally stagnant in his previous team. He had given everything, and leaving the German team was almost inevitable.
The partnership with Charles Leclerc promises to be one of the most intriguing aspects of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Both drivers have expressed great enthusiasm for the collaboration, with the shared goal of bringing Ferrari back to the top of F1. The world's eyes are fixed on this new era, where Lewis Hamilton is stepping back into the fray. We discussed it a few days ago in a dedicated article. In all likelihood, Lewis Hamilton will be accompanied by Riccardo Adami. A top-tier race engineer, the Italian technician is a hard worker and a man of few words, the kind of person you can count on, which is absolutely necessary considering the importance of the relationship between a Formula 1 driver and his race engineer.
In the media, he is not as famous as other colleagues like Giampiero Lambiase or Peter Bonnington, Lewis Hamilton's former race engineer in Mercedes. This is because the Italian engineer is quite reserved and shy. He is not interested in appearances but rather in substance. During the last five Formula 1 seasons we have been fortunate enough to follow him via radio in his partnership first with Sebastian Vettel and more recently with Carlos Sainz, savoring every single communication. Additionally, on several occasions, we have had the privilege of exchanging a few words with him at the track, the most recent being in Hungary last summer. He is always very approachable.
Riccardo Adami will be able to help Lewis Hamilton a great deal. Yes, because the best way to grow in an environment is to collaborate with someone who knows it inside out. The Italian engineer’s technical expertise will be transferred to the British driver with meticulous precision. As far as we know, the two have been in contact for some time, awaiting the official confirmation of their collaboration, barring any last-minute changes of heart from Ferrari, which are highly unlikely. But words alone aren't enough. Track time is essential to get used to all the controls, which are significantly different from those of Mercedes. For this reason, several tests will take place.
These track tests will precede the first official outing at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir at the end of February and will be crucial sessions to enhance know-how and ensure the best possible preparation for the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season. In addition to the Fiorano test, where Lewis Hamilton will drive the F1-75, a car that won three races with Charles Leclerc, in the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Australian Grand Prix and the Austrian Grand Prix, the seven-time F1 world champion is expected to complete another session in Spain. Specifically, in Catalunya, on the historic circuit that serves as a perfect and comprehensive benchmark.
The timing of this possible shakedown isn't far off. As reported by the Italian media, Ferrari is aiming to get Lewis Hamilton in the red car by the end of January, hoping for favorable weather conditions. This scenario would mark his first direct interaction with Riccardo Adami on the pit wall, beginning a collaboration that promises fireworks. The British driver is as charged as a spring and can't wait to take center stage in this final, hopefully triumphant, F1 adventure with Ferrari.
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