How Ferrari's ex-Mercedes recruit sparks major overhaul on Lewis Hamilton's 2025 F1 single-seater
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Ferrari's strategic moves to bolster its team have been evident with the recruitment of key figures from Mercedes, and one of these new hires has already made a significant impact on the development of the 2025 F1 car.
On Wednesday, Ferrari revealed their new SF-25 car, unveiling it during a shakedown session at the Fiorano circuit. Charles Leclerc was the first to take the car out for a spin in what marked a filming day for the team. The car showcased Ferrari’s new livery, which features a darker red tone, setting the SF-25 apart from its predecessors. This marks the beginning of Lewis Hamilton's tenure with Ferrari, a significant moment in his career after leaving Mercedes for a two-year contract. The 40-year-old seems rejuvenated in his new red attire, a stark contrast to his recent years with Mercedes.
While Hamilton's move from Mercedes to Ferrari was the headline, Ferrari also made another key acquisition: Loic Serra, Mercedes' former performance director, who joined the Scuderia as chassis technical director. Serra's appointment came after Enrico Cardile left Ferrari to join Aston Martin. The arrival of the French engineer has already influenced the design and setup of the SF-25, with his impact particularly felt in how the car manages its Pirelli tyres.
Serra is well known for his calm and methodical approach to car performance, and his influence has been clear since his arrival in Maranello. While the SF-25 was already under development when Serra joined, Auto Racer has reported that he quickly identified areas to improve the car's interaction with the new Pirelli tyre compounds for the 2025 season. This change, coupled with his expertise, is expected to make the SF-25 more adaptable to the drivers' needs, especially in terms of tyre management.
In addition to Loic Serra's input, Ferrari has focused on enhancing the car's handling to better suit both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, with particular attention given to how the front axle performs during corner entry. The team has worked to create a broader operational window for the SF-25 single-seater compared to its predecessor, the SF-24.
For the 2025 season, Pirelli is introducing new tyre compounds, including the C6, a super-soft compound set to be used at specific street circuits like Monaco, Canada, Singapore, and Las Vegas. Teams had their first taste of the C6 during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi in December, but the compound struggled to complete even a single lap of the Yas Marina Circuit without losing grip. Despite these challenges, The Maranello team will be hopeful that Serra's changes will help the SF-25 take full advantage of the new tyre technology.
With pre-season testing scheduled for Bahrain on February 26-28 and the season opener at the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will be hoping that Ferrari's adjustments—particularly to the Pirelli tyres—will prove successful and put them on track for a competitive 2025 season.
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