Toto Wolff shares his brief verdict on Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari test performance in Sakhir
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Lewis Hamilton has been putting in significant effort with his new Ferrari during Formula 1's pre-season testing in Bahrain, and his performance so far has been highly promising.
The British driver has consistently found himself near the top of the timing sheets, showcasing impressive speed in his Ferrari on several occasions. After experiencing challenging seasons with a subpar Mercedes car, Hamilton is hopeful of securing an eighth Drivers’ Championship in 2025. This season represents his best opportunity, with the 2026 F1 regulations looming on the horizon and expected to be a longer-term project for many teams. Lewis Hamilton can fully dedicate himself to competing for the title this year, with no restrictions holding him back.
Lewis Hamilton will also be pleased with Ferrari’s decision to bring the softest tires to for testing at the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. This choice allows him to push his car to its limits and fully assess its performance. His first day in the Ferrari went smoothly, with no major incidents, especially after the unexpected wind conditions that caught him off guard during a crash in Barcelona just a month earlier.
Toto Wolff, the British driver’s former boss at Mercedes, has already weighed in on the British driver’s performance in his new Ferrari, calling his testing runs "very impressive." As Ferrari enters the 2025 season, they are expected to have at least two strong contenders for victories, with the possibility of a third if Mercedes can find consistency in their performance. The Mercedes team boss told Motorsport.com that Lando Norris had been in a league of his own the previous day, while Lewis had been impressive that morning, and Carlos Sainz’s performance on the C2 tire had also stood out. The motorsport executive mentioned that it was difficult to draw any conclusions from the testing, as the conditions were completely unrepresentative.
With just two weeks to go before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Ferrari heads into the event with a sense of confidence, especially after their victory in Melbourne in 2024. The team's front wing design in Bahrain, which raised eyebrows among analysts like Ted Kravitz, hints that they are pushing the boundaries of aerodynamic testing, further showcasing their commitment to innovation.
This season marks a significant shift for Lewis Hamilton, as it is the first time in 19 years that he will not be driving for Mercedes. The transition to a new team after 12 years with the Silver Arrows presents many challenges, particularly when adjusting to a team that operates in a different linguistic and cultural environment. However, Hamilton has shown remarkable adaptability to Ferrari's processes thus far, making a solid start in his new role.
While many have speculated about how the seven-time F1 world champion will perform in his first season with Ferrari, Jenson Button, a fellow world champion, has refrained from making predictions. Button believes it will take time for Hamilton to fully adjust to the Ferrari team and their car. Hamilton's vast experience in title-winning operations, especially as a 39-year-old, will be invaluable as he strives to unlock the full potential of the SF-25. It is likely that his teammate, Charles Leclerc, will take the lead in developing the car for the first few races of the year, but Hamilton's input will become increasingly important as the season progresses.
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