Lewis Hamilton reveals strategy behind 'godfather' Ferrari photo in Maranello
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Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari created a wave of excitement among fans as he embarks on his mission to capture an eighth Formula 1 world championship with one of the most renowned teams in motorsport history.
Just a day after Ferrari unveiled the livery for their 2025 car, the SF-25, at the F1 75 launch event in London, Hamilton was behind the wheel at Fiorano for his first test with the team. Fans flocked to the track to witness the debut of the new car, much like they did for Lewis Hamilton's first-ever test with Ferrari. While his lap times ended up slower than teammate Charles Leclerc‘s, the conditions during the test were not entirely representative of race weekend scenarios.
Behind the scenes, Hamilton has been preparing extensively for his inaugural season with the Scuderia. However, he also paid close attention to every detail of his public debut, ensuring his first official appearance with Ferrari left a lasting impression.
In an exclusive interview with Channel 4, the British driver opened up about the planning and significance behind the now-iconic photo he shared on social media, which became one of the most liked F1 photos on Instagram. The shoot, captured in front of Enzo Ferrari's historic Maranello home, featured the British driver alongside a Ferrari F40.
Some fans speculated that the photo held deeper meaning, especially with its visual elements — seven windows and a door to an eighth, which many interpreted as symbolizing his pursuit of an eighth world championship. Hamilton reflected on how carefully the shoot was planned, highlighting the effort put into making it the perfect 'initiation' into Ferrari, a team that embodies so much of F1's legacy.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion explained that the day had been a long time in the making, giving him plenty of time to think about what his first day with Ferrari would look like, including what he would wear, which car he wanted, and the location for the photo. He mentioned that he was able to direct the shoot exactly as he envisioned it.
He also shared that he hadn’t posted anything on social media before that moment, and when he finally shared the photo, it felt like an initiation into the legacy of Ferrari, describing the experience as magical.
Ferrari’s 2025 car design introduces a key change that aligns them with Red Bull and McLaren in a critical area, with the SF-25 featuring a new front suspension layout.
Traditionally, Ferrari’s front suspension had been a pushrod design, but for the 2025 Formula 1 campaign, they have switched to a pullrod front suspension. This change is not just a design update but a strategic move that places Ferrari in line with their main competitors, Red Bull and McLaren, who have long used this configuration.
The new pullrod suspension system offers Ferrari improved setup flexibility and enhanced ride stability, two areas where the team had faced difficulties in the past. The adjustment is expected to provide better performance on track, addressing previous weaknesses and giving Ferrari a more balanced and adaptable car.
Lewis Hamilton, having joined Ferrari for the 2025 season, will likely be pleased with the shift, as the front suspension had been a consistent challenge for the team in recent years. This modification could prove crucial in helping the Scuderia improve their competitiveness and close the gap with the top teams.
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