Lewis Hamilton focused on closing key gap to Charles Leclerc in Ferrari testing

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Lewis Hamilton Preparing for Major Learning Curve Ahead of Ferrari F1 Debut

Lewis Hamilton has a considerable amount of work ahead of him before making his official Ferrari Formula 1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix in March.

The seven-time world champion's move to Ferrari has generated massive anticipation, marking the end of an 11-year association with Mercedes. Hamilton has been in Barcelona this week, conducting tests in the SF-23 to familiarize himself with Ferrari's unique operations and processes.

Although teammate Charles Leclerc was expected to join him for the tests, running was interrupted on Wednesday afternoon due to a minor incident.

Lewis Hamilton crashed his Ferrari during the session, with sources indicating that the incident was more likely caused by a bump in the track than any fault of the driver.

Following a few challenging seasons with Mercedes, where he struggled with a car that was only the fourth fastest on the grid, the British driver is aiming for an eighth drivers’ championship this year.

Lewis Hamilton Tackles Charles Leclerc's Advantage as He Adapts to Ferrari

Already in Barcelona, Lewis Hamilton is working to address some of Ferrari's weaknesses as he looks to use his experience to help the team move forward. In 2024, the Maranello team finished just 14 points behind McLaren in the standings, falling short of breaking a 16-year title drought. However, if their winter development proves effective, they are likely to be in the mix for a stronger challenge in the upcoming season.

Ferrari faces additional challenges with Hamilton's 2025 car. In a bold move, the team opted to abandon their previous design concept in favor of a completely new one to accommodate Hamilton's driving style, which could yield performance gains.

According to journalist Nate Saunders, much of Hamilton's current focus is on closing the gap to Leclerc, who has spent six seasons with Ferrari and holds a significant advantage in terms of familiarity with the team's systems and operations.

He explained that the key focus for Lewis Hamilton is adapting to Ferrari's working methods after over a decade with Mercedes. He noted that at Mercedes, the team had a specific way of operating and communicating, particularly regarding how strategies were developed and how meetings were conducted.

The British driver is now working with a new race engineer, Ricardo Adami, marking the first time in 11 years that he has made such a change. The speaker joked that Hamilton would likely be learning Italian phrases, such as “Hammer Time,” as part of his adjustment. He emphasized that this shift in team dynamics is a significant area where Charles Leclerc holds a clear advantage over the Brit.

Lewis Hamilton's Last Shot at Eighth Title with Ferrari Could Be in 2025

At 39 years old, Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari could be his final, best opportunity to secure an eighth Formula 1 world championship and conclude his illustrious career on a high note.

The heartbreak of 2021, when Max Verstappen overtook him on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to clinch the title, still looms large. For Hamilton, failing to win that eighth title was a devastating blow, making 2025 all the more critical in his pursuit of F1 immortality.

According to F1 commentator David Croft, Hamilton's most promising chance to win the championship with Ferrari may come in 2025. Croft believes that Ferrari will be well-positioned to capitalize on a season when their rivals may be distracted by the upcoming changes in F1 regulations.

The 2026 F1 regulations, which promise a major overhaul of the sport, are fast approaching, and teams are already focusing their efforts on developing cars to suit the new rules. This could mean that some competitors may not give their full attention to the 2025 season, creating a window of opportunity for Ferrari and Hamilton to make significant gains.

With a contract that spans at least two seasons, Hamilton will be hoping that both years bring the success he's been craving, not just for himself but for Ferrari as well.

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