Ferrari's strategy to keep Lewis Hamilton's arrival from becoming a "media circus"

01/01/2025 05:03 PM

Lewis Hamilton's move to Scuderia Ferrari is one of the most eagerly anticipated stories for the 2025 Formula 1 campaign, marking the arrival of the sport's most successful driver at the team with the most storied legacy in F1 history.

Making the shift from Mercedes was a bold decision for Lewis Hamilton, considering his immense success with the team. Over the years, he clinched six Drivers' Championships and played a pivotal role in securing eight Constructors’ titles for Mercedes. This departure, especially as Mercedes continues to be a top contender, marks a major turning point in his career.

Compounding the uncertainty surrounding Lewis Hamilton's move is the looming overhaul of F1 regulations set for 2026, which will see sweeping changes to both the engine and chassis regulations. These changes will create a new era in the sport, one that will affect all teams, including Ferrari. The British driver, known for his strategic foresight, has likely considered this shift as part of his decision to join Ferrari, which could mirror the successful transition he made from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013—a move that, at the time, raised many questions but ultimately paid off.

With the excitement surrounding the seven-time Formula 1 world champion’s arrival at the Maranello team, it is inevitable that the media will be keenly focused on every moment of his journey with the team, particularly when he takes to the track in Ferrari red for the first time. To manage this influx of attention, journalist Edd Straw shared insights on how the Italian side plans to prevent the event from becoming a 'media circus' during a discussion on The Race YouTube channel.

One of the key strategies Ferrari is employing involves the use of its private test track at Fiorano, located at the team's headquarters in Maranello. This gives Ferrari a unique advantage in managing its drivers and testing sessions away from the public eye. The team plans to conduct a test session with Lewis Hamilton in a 2022 car at Fiorano in early 2025, although the exact timing could be subject to weather conditions. Edd Straw noted that Ferrari is fully aware of the significance of this test for the British driver, which is why the team has developed a detailed plan to ensure the event proceeds with minimal media disruption. This careful approach will allow Lewis Hamilton to settle into his new environment while maintaining the focus on the work ahead rather than the spectacle surrounding his arrival.

"Running will be limited for Hamilton and conducted in secret, other than a few photos and videos taken and released afterwards. This is because Ferrari's preparation for Hamilton is on ensuring he is as ready as he can be for the start of pre-season testing, rather than creating a media circus. Fred Vassuer describes this as 'critical' given there is only six weeks between Hamilton's arrival and Ferrari's appearance at the F1 launch." – the Formula 1 journalist and broadcaster pointed out.

Ferrari Announces Date for 2025 Season Launch

While all Formula 1 teams will gather for a collective season launch event at The O2 in London, Scuderia Ferrari will hold its own exclusive launch for the 2025 season at its headquarters in Maranello.

The event at The O2, scheduled to celebrate the 75th season of Formula 1, will see all teams and drivers in attendance, showcasing the excitement of the upcoming season in front of a live audience of 20,000 spectators.

However, it is anticipated that the majority of teams will reveal their new liveries for the season rather than full cars, as the timing of the event is close to the pre-season testing in Bahrain, which takes place just a few days later.

The launch at The O2 is set for the evening of February 18th, with Ferrari's official season unveiling scheduled for the following day, February 19th.

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