F1 News Update: Hamilton’s Ferrari Under FIA Scrutiny

F1 News Update: Hamilton’s Ferrari Under FIA Scrutiny as Australian GP Weekend Begins

Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton has drawn attention ahead of the 2025 season opener, as his Ferrari has been summoned for inspection by the FIA just as the Australian Grand Prix weekend gets underway. The highly anticipated race at Melbourne’s Albert Park marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the seven-time world champion.

All 10 F1 teams and 20 drivers have touched down in Melbourne, preparing to kick off the new season filled with major changes on the grid. The 2025 campaign starts with a fresh wave of excitement, largely driven by Hamilton’s headline-making switch to Ferrari. The British driver stunned the motorsport world in February 2024 when he announced his departure from Mercedes, ending a 12-year partnership with the team that brought him six of his world titles.

Now at the age of 40, Hamilton is embarking on a new journey with Scuderia Ferrari, teaming up with Charles Leclerc for the season ahead. His decision not only reshaped Ferrari’s driver lineup but also triggered a domino effect in the F1 driver market. As a result, only two teams have retained their full 2024 driver pairings, while the rest of the grid has seen significant reshuffles.

The new driver combination at Ferrari is set to debut their SF-25 challenger during the first practice sessions on Friday, March 14, at the renowned Albert Park Circuit. All eyes will be on the prancing horse duo as they take to the track for the first time together in competitive action.

However, before any wheel is turned in anger, Hamilton’s Ferrari must undergo a standard FIA inspection. The governing body has called in the team’s car for a mandatory display and compliance check — a routine part of race weekend preparations aimed at ensuring all cars adhere to technical regulations. Though standard procedure, the inspection has drawn added attention due to Hamilton’s high-profile move and the public’s anticipation surrounding Ferrari’s performance this year.

Hamilton, who currently shares the record for the most F1 Drivers’ Championships with Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher, is undoubtedly chasing that elusive eighth title. The move to Ferrari marks a bold attempt to achieve this milestone with a new team — one steeped in racing history but hungry for championship success after years of drought.

As he enters this new phase in his illustrious career, Hamilton faces both excitement and pressure. His decision to join Ferrari has brought renewed energy to the sport and increased expectations from fans and analysts alike. With both the team and the driver eager to return to winning ways, the 2025 season promises to be a thrilling spectacle.

The Australian Grand Prix will provide the first clues as to whether Ferrari and Hamilton can mount a serious title challenge. For now, the focus remains on ticking off pre-race formalities, starting with FIA inspections, before the engines roar and the battle for supremacy truly begins on the streets of Melbourne.