Lewis Hamilton's diligent adjustment to life with Ferrari: a focused preparation journey
Today at 04:22 AM
Thirty-eight days after Lewis Hamilton made his highly anticipated debut as an official Ferrari driver, stepping into Maranello and posing for the now-iconic photo outside Enzo Ferrari's office in an all-black suit, the seven-time World Champion is about to experience his first true encounter with Ferrari’s 2025 machinery. This will happen during the official three-day pre-season test in Bahrain, marking the next significant milestone in his transition to his new team.
It's been a whirlwind few weeks for the British driver, who has returned to work earlier than usual to maximize his time acclimating to the Ferrari team. After spending the past 12 years at Mercedes, the change has been a significant shift in both environment and expectations, and Lewis Hamilton has embraced the challenge head-on.
His journey with Ferrari began with an extensive series of introductions. He made it a point to meet with every department in Maranello, personally shaking hands with around 1,500 Ferrari employees, making sure to build connections and learn the inner workings of the team.
Just days later, Hamilton had a sleepless night in his motorhome, parked just a stone's throw from the farmhouse that housed Enzo Ferrari’s office. Excitement kept him awake as he anticipated his first official test in Ferrari machinery – a 30-lap session in a 2023-spec car at Ferrari's famed Fiorano test track. The experience exceeded his expectations, with fans cheering from behind the fences as he got behind the wheel. His family was also present for the momentous occasion, adding a personal touch to the event.
The location of Hamilton's motorhome, adjacent to the track, made the early mornings more manageable. He would rise at 7 am local time and begin his day with a few laps on the circuit, taking advantage of the proximity of his base. The setup allowed him to seamlessly move between the track, team offices, and his motorhome, making it an ideal environment for work and relaxation. It also provided a unique opportunity to hold working lunches with his new engineers in a comfortable, private space, speeding up his integration with the team and helping him settle into his new Ferrari life more quickly. Hamilton expressed that having the entire team under one roof was a unique experience he had never encountered before, noting that in his previous team, Mercedes, the engine base and aerodynamic headquarters were located in separate places. He also mentioned how incredible it was to have the track just outside the factory, allowing them to roll out the car and take it onto the track in Fiorano. Additionally, he shared how fascinating it was to learn about the history of the place.
Last Wednesday, Hamilton's brief walk to work proved especially beneficial. He and the Ferrari team had only just returned from London, arriving just before 4 a.m. after attending the F1 75 Live event at The O2. Despite the late arrival, both Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc had just a couple of hours to rest before the demanding day ahead. Their filming schedule and first official run in the 2025 Ferrari car were set to begin shortly thereafter, leaving them with little time to recharge before diving straight into the action. He mentioned that Charles was the first to drive the car, but he made a point to ensure he stayed awake so that Charles wouldn’t be the only one dealing with the effects of lack of sleep.
Hamilton is leaving no detail overlooked in his efforts to settle into his new team. After years of forming strong relationships and familiarizing himself with the inner workings at Mercedes, joining Ferrari has felt like starting over, similar to entering a new school. The reset button has been hit, and Hamilton is eager to maximize his time with his new colleagues to make a smooth transition.
Part of his integration process includes learning Italian through personalized lessons, building upon the basic knowledge he acquired during his karting days in Italy as a teenager. While English remains the primary language of communication within the team, Hamilton has made significant strides in understanding Italian. He can now follow conversations when his colleagues speak in Italian and has become comfortable engaging in simple conversations with his mechanics. These exchanges often focus on personal topics, such as family and weekend activities, further fostering a sense of camaraderie and easing his transition into the Ferrari family.
Hamilton's integration into Ferrari is an exciting chapter in his career, and he's leaving no stone unturned as he gets familiar with his new team. After many years at Mercedes, where he built deep relationships and learned the ins and outs of the team, stepping into Ferrari feels like starting fresh, almost like entering a new school. Eager to establish himself and settle in, Hamilton has made it a priority to spend as much face-to-face time as possible with his new colleagues, helping him quickly build a strong connection with everyone.
Part of his immersion into the Ferrari culture involves learning Italian. He has started one-on-one lessons, expanding on the basic knowledge he gained from his teenage years, when he raced go-karts in Italy. While English remains the team’s primary language, Hamilton is already understanding a good portion of what's said when colleagues converse in Italian. He's also begun having casual conversations with his mechanics about personal matters, such as family and weekend activities, making his transition smoother while further bonding with the team.
Hamilton's newfound skills in Italian came in handy during an important moment early in his time at Ferrari, when he experienced the first crash in a Ferrari during a private test in Barcelona. Though understandably nervous about returning to the garage to face his mechanics, Hamilton was met with nothing but support. The team was more than happy for him to push the limits in private testing, where the stakes are lower compared to pre-season testing or race weekends.
Getting accustomed to Ferrari's machinery has been a significant challenge for Hamilton, as he quickly discovered that the car operates in a "completely different" manner than anything he's driven before. Still, he found the experience to be exciting, and he's been working hard to get a better grasp of the car's setup and the unique terminology Ferrari uses. This has required an adjustment period, but Hamilton remains confident that he won't have to drastically alter his driving style. While he feels comfortable in the car, he acknowledges that the real test will come at race circuits, where he'll see how well he adapts.
To make the most of his time at Ferrari, Hamilton has continued to use his motorhome as a base during his stay in Maranello. The motorhome provides him with time efficiency and comfort, but he is also looking to get a place in Milan during the season. Although Milan is a two-hour commute from Maranello, it offers a better balance of social connections and access to friends, which he felt was more valuable than living near Maranello, where he would be somewhat isolated.
On the morning of his first test with Ferrari, Hamilton had an unforgettable moment when he looked in the mirror and saw himself wearing the famous red overalls for the first time. The sight was surreal and symbolized the beginning of his new life with Ferrari. For him, being part of Ferrari is an honor, and moments like these have been a constant reminder of the significance of this new chapter.
Hamilton is genuinely revitalized by the challenges Ferrari presents. The enthusiasm he feels for this new journey is comparable to the excitement he felt when he first joined McLaren and when he started a new era with Mercedes. He's known for his dedication and long days at the track, often being the first to arrive and the last to leave. This commitment has continued at Ferrari, but what stands out this time is his newfound excitement to be there. Unlike recent years, where he sometimes felt drained by the demands of the job, Hamilton is now eager to put in extra effort and is enjoying the process of working with his new team.
He admits that he never thought he'd be so enthusiastic about going to work at this stage in his career. The positive energy he's received from everyone at Ferrari, as well as the support from fans, has reinvigorated him. While he's aware that some may criticize his move, Hamilton feels that these voices are irrelevant compared to the excitement of the journey he is now on.
Though there are many new faces at Ferrari, Hamilton is fortunate to have several familiar names around him to help with his transition. He has been friends with Ferrari Chairman John Elkann for years and has also had regular contact with Team Principal Fred Vasseur, having raced under Vasseur's leadership in the GP2 series. He also knows several recent Ferrari recruits, including Jerome d'Ambrosio and Loic Serra, both of whom he worked with at Mercedes.
From the moment Hamilton knew he would be joining Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc, he made it a priority to build a strong relationship with his new teammate. Hamilton and Leclerc have always gotten along well, and since their pairing at Ferrari, Hamilton has made an effort to connect with Leclerc more frequently. They share common ground, and Hamilton has praised Leclerc's incredible work ethic and the valuable insights he's gained from his six years at Ferrari. Together, they aim to elevate the team, and Hamilton believes they will be one of the strongest driver pairings on the grid.
Hamilton is under no illusions about the challenge ahead. While he had months of testing ahead of his F1 debut with McLaren and multiple pre-season tests with Mercedes, his time with Ferrari is more limited. He will have only 1.5 days of running in the current car during the Bahrain pre-season test, followed by the season opener in Australia. Despite this, Hamilton has made the most of his time in the car, having already completed private tests at Fiorano and Barcelona in 2023-spec cars, as well as additional runs in a modified 2024 car. These experiences have given him valuable insight, but he admits that he's still acclimating to the Ferrari car.
Hamilton remains determined to be ready for the first race of the season, though he knows that adapting to a new car takes time. He recalls it took him six months to win his first race with Mercedes, and he is committed to putting in the work to be fully prepared for race one. The Bahrain test will be a crucial opportunity for Hamilton to build a rhythm with the car, fine-tune his understanding of its setup, and work with the team to unlock its full potential.
Ferrari seems to be in a good position after their strongest campaign in years, and if they can carry that momentum into the new season, Hamilton will have a stable, balanced car that can fight for top positions. It will then be up to him to maximize that potential and make the most of the speed available. This week's test will provide a glimpse into how Hamilton is adjusting to the new challenge and whether he can rise to the occasion.
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