Lewis Hamilton's father shares surprising insight into his Ferrari F1 test preparations
Yesterday at 04:06 PM
Lewis Hamilton Enters New Chapter at Ferrari with Fresh Challenges and Familiar Faces
After 18 seasons in Formula 1 with British-based teams—12 of them at Mercedes—Lewis Hamilton has ventured into uncharted territory with Ferrari. The move to F1's iconic Italian team brings unique cultural and professional challenges. To navigate this transition, Hamilton has surrounded himself with trusted allies and family members, marking a pivotal chapter in his storied career.
Hamilton has reunited with Angela Cullen, his trainer during four of his championship-winning seasons at Mercedes. After parting ways early in 2023, the 40-year-old sought Cullen's support for what could be the final stage of his F1 journey. Alongside her, his manager Marc Hynes and his parents, Anthony Hamilton and Carmen Larbalestier, were present at his first test session at Fiorano. During the session, Hamilton covered around 90 kilometers, cheered on by thousands of fans gathered outside the Ferrari circuit.
Adapting to Ferrari's distinct environment will require significant effort. Following a tense split with Mercedes, Hamilton must build strong relationships with his new teammates and the passionate Tifosi fanbase. Beyond cultural shifts, he faces technical adjustments, including adapting to Ferrari's engineering philosophy and controls. Notably, this marks his first F1 season without a Mercedes engine.
Anthony Hamilton revealed insights into his son's rigorous winter preparations during an interview with Daily Mail journalist Jonathan McEvoy. He shared that Lewis had "trained like mad," showcasing renewed motivation to relaunch his career. After a difficult 2024 season, where he admitted feeling he wasn't "fast anymore" and struggled in qualifying against teammate George Russell, Lewis Hamilton's confidence appeared shaken. However, his father likened this moment to Lewis Hamilton's debut season with McLaren in 2007, when he came within a point of winning the championship before securing the title in 2008.
Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc welcomed Hamilton warmly, calling his Fiorano test a "very special day." Leclerc, who has carried Ferrari's hopes in recent years, will now share the responsibility of delivering success with the seven-time world champion.
Lewis Hamilton will be eager to emulate the early successes of predecessors Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, who both secured race wins soon after joining Ferrari. The team showed promise toward the end of 2024, with a one-two finish at the United States Grand Prix and a victory for Carlos Sainz in Mexico, finishing just 14 points behind McLaren in the standings.
Ferrari has also taken a bold approach with Hamilton's first car, introducing significant changes rather than opting for a gradual evolution. While the gamble carries risk, it sets the stage for a potential intra-team battle for the championship. With renewed focus and belief, Hamilton aims to rewrite his legacy with Ferrari and deliver the team its long-awaited return to glory.
The post Lewis Hamilton's father shares surprising insight into his Ferrari F1 test preparations appeared first on Scuderia Fans.
