Lewis Hamilton continues Ferrari testing in Barcelona as seven-time world champion ramps up preparation for 2025 season

Lewis Hamilton continues Ferrari testing in Barcelona as seven-time world champion ramps up preparation for 2025 season

Lewis Hamilton is continuing his preparations for the 2025 Formula One season with Ferrari, following the conclusion of his long and successful tenure at Mercedes. After six world championships with the Silver Arrows, Hamilton made a surprise move to Ferrari, securing a deal during the 2024 season that took him to the legendary Italian team. His first test with Ferrari took place at their private Fiorano circuit near Maranello, and now, his preparations have shifted to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where he spent a full day testing on Tuesday.

This shift to Ferrari marks a major transition for Hamilton, who has spent the vast majority of his career with Mercedes. After over a decade with his former team, where he won seven world championships, the switch to a completely different team and car brings its own set of challenges. It is expected that Ferrari is doing everything it can to ensure Hamilton adapts quickly and seamlessly to his new environment. His new teammate, Charles Leclerc, is also a part of this testing session, with the two drivers taking turns behind the wheel of the 2023 Ferrari car.

On Tuesday, Hamilton drove for the second half of the day, familiarizing himself with the car and the track, as he prepares for the 2025 season. Over the next two days, weather permitting, Ferrari plans to continue their testing program, ramping up their preparations for the upcoming year. For Hamilton, this is an essential opportunity to get comfortable with a new team, car, and cockpit configuration. Notably, this will also be his first time driving a Ferrari-powered car in Formula One, which presents additional challenges due to the differences in engine characteristics and overall car setup compared to what he’s accustomed to at Mercedes.

Another crucial aspect of Hamilton’s integration into Ferrari will be building his relationship with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, and establishing a strong bond with the team as a whole. The partnership between driver and engineer is vital to a successful season, and Hamilton will be looking to make the most of these early testing sessions to ensure smooth communication and understanding.

Formula One testing regulations limit drivers to a maximum of 1000 kilometers in cars previously used in Grand Prix events. Before heading to Barcelona, Hamilton had already used up about 200 kilometers of that quota, meaning he has around 800 kilometers remaining for testing purposes. These kilometers will be crucial for getting up to speed with the Ferrari team’s setup and ensuring that the transition from Mercedes to Ferrari is as smooth as possible.

In terms of Ferrari’s overall testing schedule, both Hamilton and Leclerc will get their first opportunity to showcase the 2025 Ferrari car in February, when they take it to Fiorano for another round of testing. This will be the first time the public gets a glimpse of Ferrari’s new offering for the upcoming season, with both drivers eager to get a feel for the car and assess its performance.

Meanwhile, back at Mercedes, Hamilton’s replacement, 17-year-old Kimi Antonelli, has just passed his driving test. The young Italian is set to make his Formula One debut with the Silver Arrows in 2025, stepping into the cockpit of the car that Hamilton once dominated with. Antonelli’s progression has been closely watched, as Mercedes transitions from their legendary veteran driver to the fresh face of the team.

As Hamilton settles into life with Ferrari, his focus remains on acclimatizing to his new car and the challenges it brings. The next few weeks of testing will be vital in ensuring that the seven-time world champion is ready to compete for his eighth title, but now in the red of Ferrari, rather than the silver of Mercedes. This new chapter in Hamilton’s illustrious career is bound to bring both excitement and challenges, and all eyes will be on him as he works to adapt to his new team and set up.