Breaking News: Lewis Hamilton faces harsh reality as Ferrari unable to….. Read more
Lewis Hamilton faces harsh reality as Ferrari unable to use clever F1 trick
Lewis Hamilton will not be able to participate in the post-season tyre test at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi with his new team, Ferrari, at the end of the season. Although Hamilton is set to join Ferrari for the 2025 Formula One campaign, he is still under contract with Mercedes through the end of the year, which includes the testing event. As a result, he will miss out on the opportunity to familiarize himself with the team’s car ahead of his official debut. This decision is a blow for both Hamilton and Ferrari, as the session would have provided valuable track time and allowed the seven-time world champion to gain insights into his new team’s machinery and operations.
Every year after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Formula One teams participate in a post-season tyre test, where a combination of regular drivers, test and reserve drivers, and rookies stay behind to run laps on the newly developed tyres for the upcoming season. The session is structured similarly to the rules governing Free Practice 1 (FP1) during the race weekends, with each team mandated to allocate at least one of their two seats to a rookie driver with two or fewer race starts. In light of these regulations, Ferrari could not legally substitute Hamilton into their car for the test, despite some fan theories suggesting they might use the session as a loophole to get him acclimated early.
According to a BBC Sport report, the likelihood of Hamilton driving Ferrari’s SF-24 at the post-season test is essentially “zero.” This leaves Hamilton in a challenging position as he prepares to switch teams for the first time since 2013, when he moved from McLaren to Mercedes. With no opportunity to test Ferrari’s current car before the end of the year, Hamilton will have to rely on his experience and adaptability to get up to speed during the winter testing phase. His focus will be on making a smooth transition to Maranello and learning the intricacies of the Scuderia’s setup.
Hamilton’s new teammate, Charles Leclerc, is looking forward to partnering with the experienced Briton. Leclerc expressed admiration for Hamilton, highlighting his consistency, speed, and exceptional skill set. He stated that he has always seen the benefit of having top-level teammates as it pushes him to raise his game. Leclerc acknowledged that competing alongside Hamilton would be a learning experience, allowing him to gain insights into how the Briton has managed to sustain his high level of performance over the years.
Leclerc’s optimism is shared by many in the paddock, as they believe the pairing of Hamilton and Leclerc will be a powerful driver lineup for Ferrari. The 2025 season is expected to be highly competitive, with Hamilton aiming to bring his vast experience and success to help Ferrari return to championship contention.
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